Celtics get gang all back, open with win over Sixers

Jayson Tatum had 23 points and nine rebounds, and the host Boston Celtics outlasted 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 regularseason action for Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving.

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. WNBA ALL-STAR HIRED BY WIZARDS AS ASSISTANT >> WNBA All-Star Kristi Toliver will be an assistant coach for player development for the NBA’s Washington Wizards this season. Toliver becomes the first woman in franchise history to hold a coaching position and the fourth in NBA history, joining Becky Hammon (San Antonio Spurs), Jenny Boucek (Dallas Mavericks) and Nancy Lieberman (Sacramento Kings). Toliver served as an assistant on the Wizards’ summer league team this year. BUTLER SLATED TO PLAY FOR WOLVES >> After a relatively light practice — one that ended early — Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said he expects Jimmy Butler to play in today’s opener in San Antonio. As to how many minutes he will play, and how the team will move forward in terms of working on trading its star player? That isn’t so clear. “We’re planning on playing him,” Thibodeau said. “If he feels good, he’ll be ready to go.”

Butler, who was away from the team when training camp started, has practiced only four times with his Wolves teammates this preseason and did not appear in a preseason game. NETS’ CARROLL OUT >> DeMarre Carroll of the Nets miss the start of the season after having a right ankle arthroscopy.