The Celtics are sticking with the same starting lineup for their preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets that they used in Saturday night’s 144-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
That means Jayson Tatum will again be in the starting group as Boston looks to move to 3-0 in the preseason. The Celtics have opened the schedule with two wins, and the repeated lineup gives them another chance to build rhythm without changing much from the group that handled Philadelphia on Saturday night.
What Boston is doing with its lineup
The decision is notable because the Celtics are not simply rotating through different combinations at this stage. Instead, they are giving the same five another preseason run, which suggests the coaching staff wants more extended time with that unit before the games begin to count. At the same time, the article notes that this may not be the Opening Night lineup when Boston faces the Detroit Pistons next Tuesday.
That keeps this game in perspective. Preseason lineups are often about evaluation and continuity, and Boston appears to be balancing both. The Celtics have already shown one look against the 76ers, and now they will see whether the same group can deliver a similar result against a Charlotte team that has its own preseason setup to sort through.
What to watch against Charlotte
The Celtics have not faced the Hornets since they traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which adds a small layer of context to this preseason meeting. Charlotte’s listed starters include three offseason additions, so both teams are still sorting out how their current pieces fit together.
For Boston, the main takeaway is simple: the same starting five gets another test, and the team will learn a little more about whether this group is ready to carry over into the regular season. For now, the Celtics have banked two preseason wins, scored 144 points against Philadelphia on Saturday night, and kept their approach steady heading into the matchup with the Hornets.
Friday will bring one more preseason game for Boston, when the Celtics close out exhibition play against the 76ers in Philadelphia.
