Maine Celtics clash with College Park this weekend

PORTLAND, Maine - The Maine Celtics return home to the Portland Expo this weekend for two games against the College Park Skyhawks.

Both Maine (6-3) and College Park (4-5) enter the weekend series after earning two wins over the Westchester Knicks. The Skyhawks beat Westchester 116-111 on Wednesday and have won three consecutive games. Maine has not played since they beat the Knicks 122-95 on November 30 to earn their sixth consecutive win.

"I think the chemistry is there. Guys enjoy playing with each other," said Maine Celtics Head Coach Phil Pressey. "Being able to be a first year head coach, that's something I wanted to instill to our team and that's a culture thing. It trickles up from Boston and it's a great feeling to have that same feeling from Boston up here in Maine."

Maine has been finding a way to get it done, even when their Two-Way players aren't available. In last weekend's road series sweep over the Westchester Knicks, Maine saw career performances from Hayden Gray, Hason Ward, and Stefan Todorovic. In a 98-84 win on Black Friday, Ward posted a triple-double with 10 blocks and Gray added a career-high 24 points off the bench. On Sunday, the Celtics dominated Westchester 122-95 behind a career-high 31 points from Todorovic.

"It's a stay ready mindset. The guys who aren't playing as much when the Two-Ways are here, get a opportunity to play," Pressey explained. In Westchester this last weekend, we had guys step up. Being able to step up and stay ready is something we preach and being able to see it firsthand was a great feeling."

One of the Two-Way players that has been away with Boston is rookie center Amari Williams. Williams has appeared in three games in the past 10 days with the Celtics, including a career-high 15 minutes of action on November 26 against Detroit. Williams ranks is seventh in the NBA G League in rebounds per game (10.9) and eleventh in blocks per game (1.9).

"It's about playing meaningful minutes," Pressey said. "Some guys may play 30-35 minutes and the team might not be winning. In Boston, every minute you play means the world. Our job here in Maine is to teach those professional behaviors and how to value every minute. It was cool to see him in Boston not just get in the game, but have an impact."

The Celtics bolstered their roster with the signing of NBA veteran guard Keon Johnson. Johnson brings 161 games of NBA experience to Maine, and most recently played 79 games for the Brooklyn Nets in 2024-25. Johnson led the Nets in steals a year ago, and will fit in with a Celtics team that loves to make plays on defense that lead to explosive plays in the open floor.

"Great player. He's a terrific athlete," Pressey said on Johnson. "I scouted against him last year while in Boston. I know his game a little bit and I want to learn more about him as a person. The best way to get the best out of players is to get know the human first."

Maine and College Park will play at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, with each game being a part of the NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament. Maine is currently second in the East division, 3.5 games back of unbeaten Raptors 905. College Park is in fourth. The top four teams in each division, plus the next four teams with the best winning percentage regardless of division will advance to play for the Showcase Cup.

Saturday's game will broadcast live on NBC Sports Boston and will stream live here. Fans can also listen on the radio on 96.3 The Big Jab. Limited tickets are available here.