Celtics tell Dillon Mitchell to shoot 3s in Summer League
The latest Celtics news from Las Vegas Summer League is clear: Boston coaches want second-round pick Dillon Mitchell to shoot open 3-pointers, and he listened—hitting 2 of 5 against Charlotte in an 87-75 win that improved the Celtics to 2-0. Mitchell led the game with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six steals.
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell went 2-for-5 from deep, topping his entire senior season at St. John's (1-of-15 from 3).
- Derrick White joined the coaching staff and told Mitchell he was "not allowed to get tired."
- Boston improved to 2-0; John Tonje scored 17 points as the Celtics forced 25 turnovers.
- Mitchell is likely headed for a two-way deal, but Boston has a 15-man roster opening after waiving Dalano Banton.
Why are the Celtics pushing Dillon Mitchell to shoot 3-pointers?
Boston drafted the St. John's wing in the second round last month largely for his defense, rebounding, and athleticism—not his jumper. As a senior, Mitchell made just 1 of 15 3-pointers and shot 49.4 percent from the foul line, according to The Boston Globe.
During Las Vegas Summer League, Mitchell has worked extensively with player development coach Craig Luschenat. The staff's message has been consistent: when he is open beyond the arc, take aim and fire. Against the Hornets, 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner gave Mitchell space on the perimeter, and Mitchell calmly exceeded his entire senior-season 3-point total.
"[Celtics coaches] were looking at me every time like, 'Just shoot the ball,'" Mitchell said. "Just going out there and playing confident, especially hearing their confidence in me to just shoot the ball. I know they're going to crash [for offensive rebounds]."
How did Derrick White influence Boston's Summer League win?
After sitting courtside for Friday's opener against Toronto, White took a more hands-on role Sunday. He joined Summer League head coach Amile Jefferson on the bench in coaching attire, shouting instructions and offering advice during breaks, the Globe reported.
Before the game, White's message to Mitchell was simple. "He told me I can't get tired," Mitchell relayed, per NBA.com. "That was the main thing he said to me was, 'You're not allowed to get tired.'" Mitchell took those words to heart in just under 29 minutes of action.
Jefferson praised White's presence. "Really good for our guys to see him doing that, to be around them, to share his knowledge with them and then to just motivate them on the bench," he said. "That breathes Celtics culture. That's what it's about."
Who else stood out for the Celtics against Charlotte?
Mitchell's all-around dominance was the headline, but Boston got contributions across the roster. John Tonje added 17 points and is now 8-for-13 from deep through two Summer League games. The Celtics forced 25 turnovers while registering 11 steals and eight blocks as a team.
First-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. helped stabilize Boston after a shaky start, blocking Ryan Kalkbrenner at the rim and kicking out to Hugo González for a corner three. Jordan Walsh, watching from the sidelines, called Mitchell and Cenac "super athletic"—a trait he said Boston values.
Undrafted guard Milos Uzan also impressed with a team-best plus-41 across both games and an 11-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio. For more on the roster moves shaping this run, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
The Celtics (2-0) face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 6 p.m. Whether Mitchell's shooting surge lasts remains to be seen, but Sunday offered a glimpse of the two-way upside Boston saw on draft night.