Tag: maine celtics

Which Maine Celtics have the best chance to make the NBA?

At least some of them have a shot at making the NBA thanks in no small part to what they managed to do with Maine. But which?

The hopes for a 2024 Maine Celtics G League title did not pan out earlier this week as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, triumphed in the G League Championship’s best of 3 series, besting Maine 117-100 in Portland.

And while for many of those players, their G League career may be drawing to a close with the loss, at least some of them have a shot at making the NBA thanks in no small part to what they managed to do with Maine. After the game ended, CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning and Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell dived into the prospects for Maine Celtics players advancing to the next level of their career. 

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about Maine Celtics players at the next level.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Lindy Waters III following G League championship

Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Lindy Waters III following G League championship.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday that they have recalled Ousmane Dieng and Lindy Waters III from the G League’s OKC Blue.

This comes a day after the Blue captured the 2024 G League championship in a decisive win over the Maine Celtics in the G League Finals.

Dieng received G League Finals MVP after he scored 25 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Game 3 win. Waters III totaled 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The second-year wing spent a significant amount of time with the Blue this season. The 20-year-old relished in the on-ball opportunities as the Blue’s best player. He continues to be a developmental project for the Thunder.

The first-seeded Thunder awaits their first-round opponent after the play-in tournament concludes on Friday. Game 1 at OKC will be held on Sunday, April 21.

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Recap: OKC Blue’s 117-100 win over Maine Celtics clinches 2024 G League championship

Recap: OKC Blue’s 117-100 win over Maine Celtics clinches 2024 G League championship.

The OKC Blue dominated in their 117-100 win over the Maine Celtics on Monday to win the 2024 G League Finals. The decisive Game 3 road win awarded the Blue the G League championship. Ousmane Dieng won the G League Finals MVP.

After the first quarter, the Blue built a 29-22 lead over the Celtics. A 34-point second frame capped off by a 21-0 run to close out the period helped OKC enter halftime with a commanding 63-40 advantage.

The Blue continued their momentum at the start of the second half with the first seven points for a game-changing 28-0 run that ballooned a 70-40 lead in the early stages of the third quarter.

The Celtics made some noise, cutting OKC’s lead to as little as 16 points, but the Blue tallied 29 points in the third quarter to enter the fourth frame with a 92-67 lead.

The Celtics made some noise with a 33-point fourth quarter, but not enough time was left for a serious comeback attempt.

The Blue shot 49% from the field and went 13-of-31 (41.9%) from 3. They went 12-of-14 from the free-throw line. They dished out 20 assists on 41 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 43% from the field and went 11-of-39 (28.2%) from 3. They went 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. They had 25 assists on 40 baskets. Four Celtics players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 5-of-6 from 3, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks.
  • Lindy Waters III: 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, 11 rebounds
  • Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, four rebounds, two assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-3 from 3, four rebounds
  • JD Davison: 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3, 10 assists, four rebounds, four steals
  • Drew Peterson: 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, eight rebounds, eight assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 17-point win over the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate to clinch the championship can be watched below:

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Everything you need to know about the Maine Celtics’ title run

It is the first-ever shot at a title for the Boston Celtics’ developmental affiliate, with the best-of-three series currently knotted up at one game each.

The Maine Celtics will take on the Oklahoma City Blue for the 2024 G League Championship on this Monday (April 13) night. It is the first-ever shot at a title for the Boston Celtics’ developmental affiliate, with the best-of-three series currently knotted up at one game each for Maine and the Oklahoma City Thunder G League squad.

How did they get here? How good are they, and how do G League playoffs work? What are games in Portland like in the regular and postseason? And how is the synergy between Boston and Maine in terms of developing players and winning games? 

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast recently sat down with Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell to get all the details you need to know about what might be G League Banner No. 1 for Maine.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Recap: OKC Blue suffers 106-86 loss to Maine Celtics in G League Finals Game 1

Recap: OKC Blue suffers 106-86 loss to Maine Celtics in G League Finals Game 1.

The OKC Blue suffered a 106-86 loss to the Maine Celtics in Game 1 of the 2024 G League Finals on Monday. The road loss puts the Blue in a 0-1 hole in the best-of-three series.

The Blue will hope to even the series at one apiece when it hosts Game 2 on Thursday, April 11 at Paycom Center in OKC.

The Blue had a slow start as they trailed 33-14 after the first quarter. A 28-point second frame didn’t move the needle much as OKC entered halftime with a 59-42 deficit.

A 25-point third frame by the Celtics pushed their lead to 84-61 entering the fourth quarter. The final frame was inconsequential as OKC tallied 25 points.

The Blue shot 35% from the field and went 12-of-45 (26.7%) from 3. They had 22 assists on 34 baskets. Only two Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 48% from the field and went 12-of-35 (34.3%) from 3. They had 28 assists on 43 baskets. Four Celtics players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, four assists, three rebounds
  • Jaden Shackelford: 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting, 5-of-13 from 3, four assists, three rebounds
  • Olivier Sarr: nine points on 3-of-10 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3, 12 rebounds
  • JD Davison: 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, 12 assists, four rebounds
  • Neemias Queta: 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, 13 rebounds, three blocks
  • Drew Peterson: 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 2-of-6 from 3, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals
  • Jordan Walsh: 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 3-of-4 from 3, six rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 20-point loss to the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Boston’s Jordan Walsh helps lead Maine Celtics to 2024 G League Finals

The win secured Maine a spot in the G League Finals vs. the Oklahoma City Blue.

Boston Celtics rookie forward Jordan Walsh scored 15 points with 7 rebounds and 3 steals as the Maine Celtics beat the Long Island Nets (the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets) in the G League Eastern Conference Finals this week. Walsh joins the newest addition to the regular roster, Neemias Queta, in the series along with Boston’s remaining two way players, JD Davison, and Drew Peterson in playing the Blue for the G League title.

The win secured Maine a spot in the G League Finals vs. the Oklahoma City Blue (the developmental affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder), which will be a three-game series that will see at least one finals tilt played on Maine’s home court in Portland.

The folks behind the CLNS Media “Celtics All Access” YouTube channel put up some highlights from Maine’s recent win vs. Long Island via Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell. Check them out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Maine Celtics set to take on Oklahoma City Blue in 2024 G League Playoffs Finals

Maine will face off with the Oklahoma City Blue in a best-of-three-series.

 It is not just the Boston Celtics who are gearing up for a run at a title this month, with the Boston-based ball club’s G League affiliate up in Portland having advanced to the G League Finals. The Maine Celtics just finished beating the Long Island Nets (the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets) to earn a spot in their league’s finals for the 2023-24 season.

In it, Maine will face off with the Oklahoma City Blue, the developmental affiliates of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the G League. It has rarely been the case that the ball clubs with such good records at the NBA level have met in the G league postseason. So, this new wrinkle will add a bit of extra sauce to an already intriguing matchup.

The folks behind the “News Center Maine” YouTube channel recently ran a short on the looming three-game series. Check it out in the clip embedded below for details.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Recap: OKC Blue advance to 2024 G League Finals in 114-107 win over Stockton Kings

Recap: OKC Blue advances to 2024 G League Finals in 114-107 win over Stockton Kings.

The OKC Blue collected a 114-107 win over the Stockton Kings in the Western Conference finals. The playoff road win advanced the Blue to the 2024 G League Finals.

The Blue will face the Maine Celtics in a best-of-three series to determine the G League champions. Maine will have the homecourt advantage.

The Blue suffered a slow start; the Kings built a 27-16 lead in the first quarter. OKC trailed by as many as 15 points in the opening frame.

A switch flipped for the Blue in the second quarter. They outscored the Kings, 42-18, to enter halftime with a 58-45 lead. The teams scored 29 points apiece in the third frame.

The Blue built an 18-point lead in the second half and the Kings utilized a 33-point final frame to draw as close as five points, but they couldn’t get over the hump.

The Blue shot 47% from the field and went 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3. They dished 19 assists on 40 baskets. Four Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Kings shot 45% from the field and went 10-of-36 (27.8%) from 3. They collected 23 assists on 37 baskets. Four Kings players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals
  • Adam Flagler: 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, five assists
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists
  • Keyontae Johnson: 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, four rebounds
  • Jalen Slawson: 26 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3, 8-of-10 on free throws, four assists, four blocks, three steals
  • Stanley Johnson: 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, six rebounds, four assists, four steals
  • Deonte Burton: 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, three assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s seven-point win over the Kings can be watched below:

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Neemias Queta gives an update on Jordan Walsh’s progress with the Maine Celtics

“It shows – you can tell the improvement he’s made,” said Queta.

Boston Celtics two way big man Neemias Queta has had the privilege of watching rookie Celtics wing Jordan Walsh grow as a player with the Maine Celtics this season. Speaking to Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell, Queta gave an update on Walsh with the Portland version of the Celtics at the G League level. “It’s been a good situation,” he explained.

“I feel like Jordan’s been doing a great job for us, whether down in Maine or in Boston,” added Queta. “We had a similar path, going through from our first year getting drafted and being in the G League right away.”

“I feel like he’s doing it and doing a great job being down there with a great attitude and trying to get better every single day.”

“It shows – you can tell the improvement he’s made,” said the Portuguese big man of Walsh’s growth in Portland this season.

“He’s shooting the ball at a high level right now, so we just want him to keep on getting better and learn from his mistakes, and keep on being confident because we know how good he can be.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Maine Celtics guard Tony Snell is on a mission to get back to the NBA

And it is not your typical mission, with Snell hoping to secure insurance coverage for his kids’ Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If you have ever wondered why Maine Celtics wing Tony Snell is still plugging away in Portland as he tries to get back into the NBA, it has everything to do with who he is as a person — and not in the way we tend to mean for most NBA players.

Snell, who was diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder not long ago after trying to learn what might be behind developmental delays in his own children, according to a recent article by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. “Of course, I want to come back and play, but I have a bigger purpose now,” said Snell. “It’s not about me anymore. It’s about my boys.”

What the veteran wing is referring to is his push to get back into the NBA in order to get coverage for his children’s diagnosis of being on the spectrum as well.