Celtics continue to improve habits at intrasquad scrimmage

PORTLAND, Maine. - The Maine Celtics capped off their first week of a competitive training camp with an intrasquad scrimmage at the Portland Expo on Sunday. Maine Celtics season ticket holders were able to catch a glimpse of the Celtics ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season.

Sunday's scrimmage was a chance for Maine's players, and first-year head coach Phil Pressey to iron out some of the details that gameday will bring when the Celtics open the season on November 7 at Greensboro.

"It was nice to see the guys compete in a game-like atmosphere with referees and fans there," Pressey said. "It had a game-like feeling and we could see which players could think through the offensive and defensive tactics. It was cool to get some good film to be able to evaluate."

The Celtics played two, 20-minute games on Saturday, with the coaches switching the lineups in between games. The 'Green' team in Game 1 featured Ron harper Jr., Jalen Bridges, Kameron Warrens, Amari Williams, Hayden Gray, Stefan Todorovic, Makhi Mitchell and Rahsool Diggins. Team 'White' was composed of Wendell Moore Jr., Aaron Scott, Hason Ward, Kendall Brown, Max Shulga, Vance Jackson, Nicolas Timberlake and Omar El-Sheikh.

Game 1 featured a frantic pace by both teams. Two-Way player Ron Harper Jr. knocked down three triples and led Green with 11 first half points as Green led White 32-25 at halftime. Led by Two-Way player Max Shulga and Kendall Brown, White would overcome a double-digit deficit storm back in the second half. A three by Brown cut the Green lead down to four with under four minutes to play. Vance Jackson connected on another one from deep to level the score at 47 with 1:40 left on the clock. Despite the comeback effort from White, Harper Jr. scored two key baskets in the final minute to lead Green to a 53-49 victory. After playing 10 minutes with Boston on Saturday night, Harper Jr. led all scorers in the first game with 15 points. Kendall Brown scored 14 and Max Shulga and Jalen Bridges each tallied 10 points.

"That confidence is something that was probably instilled when he was a young kid," Pressey said on Harper Jr. He believes in himself and I think when you're on a Two-Way and hunting for an NBA roster spot, that confidence is the bare minimum. You need that to be able to make it and he has it. He's right there. He just has to keep getting better and it will happen for him."

Each team's roster changed for the second, 20-minute contest. On the 'Green' team was Warrens, Diggins, Brown, Williams, Harper Jr., Shulga, Jackson and Mitchell. Bridges, Ward, Moore Jr., Todorovic, Scott, Timberlake, Gray and El-Sheikh were on 'White.' White jumped in front in game two, claiming an 18-4 lead at the first timeout five minutes into the game thanks to six points from Moore Jr. White would maintain that lead through halftime, 24-16 behind a balanced effort. Moore Jr. continued to control the second game, scoring on a tough basket in the lane plus the foul to extend White's lead to double digits, 36-26 with under six minutes to go. The energy from the White team was impalpable. That was evident when Ward and Moore Jr. blocked back-to-back shot attempts by Green. Harper Jr. caught fire late, helping Green pull within seven. White's lead was too much to overcome as White was getting it done on both ends of the floor. Ward and Moore Jr. led White with 14 points apiece. Harper Jr. and Williams each scored nine points for Green in the 53-41 loss. Sunday's scrimmage wasn't about the numbers on the scoreboard, it was about Pressey's group taking another step forward towards the team's goals.

"Continue to get better with our habits," said Pressey. "Whether it is closing out to a shooter's airspace, running in transition, knowing your personnel; those are things we will be big on going into game one. Something we talk about is T.E.A.M. Together everyone achieves more. Guys need to sacrifice their personal goals for the team goal. If you focus on the team goal, you'll get what you want. That's what I've been trying to voice, and I think it's been paying off these last couple days and guys have been able to give that effort and energy that we need."

Roster cuts are imminent and the days of training camp are dwindling down as Maine's season opener creeps closer on November 7 in Greensboro. Maine returns home to the Portland Expo for the Celtics' home opener on November 14 against the Long Island Nets. Tickets are available now.