Celtics welcome stars back in victory
BOSTON — The Celtics will need time to figure out how to get the most out of their loaded roster this season.
It didn't stop them from picking up their first victory on a night they celebrated the official return of their two biggest stars.
Jayson Tatum had 23 points and nine rebounds, and the Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 105-87 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Boston won despite shooting just 43 percent (42 of 97) from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point line (11 of 37). But the Celtics' struggles didn't dampen the mood inside TD Garden for the return to regular-season action for Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving.
Hayward said it was “amazing” to be back out there.
“My adrenaline was pumping those first three or four minutes,” Hayward said. “I think everybody's adrenaline was pumping. It was sloppy at first. It was great just to be out there. It was a big step for me.”
Marcus Morris added 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Including the playoffs, Boston has won 10 straight games at home over Philadelphia, which it defeated in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.
Hayward played in his first game since undergoing surgery and more than 10 months of rehabilitation for the gruesome left ankle injury he suffered five minutes into last year's season opener.
Irving also was back following a pair of surgeries on his left knee that caused him to miss the end of the regular season and playoffs.
Irving and Hayward shot a combined 6 for 26 for the game. Hayward finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes. Irving had seven points and seven assists.
Wizards add female to staff
WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver will be an assistant coach for player development for the Washington Wizards this season.
Toliver played for the Washington Mystics and helped them reach the WNBA Finals this year, when she also assisted the Wizards' coaching staff during the NBA Summer League and training camp.
Toliver becomes the first woman in franchise history to hold a coaching position and the fourth in NBA history, joining Becky Hammon (Spurs), Jenny Boucek (Mavericks) and Nancy Lieberman ( Kings).