Report: Celtics held players-only meeting Tuesday
The Boston Celtics held a players-only meeting while traveling to Orlando on Tuesday ahead of their Wednesday night matchup against the Magic, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown reportedly discussed during the meeting the team's epic collapse Monday when the Chicago Bulls outscored Boston 39-11 in the fourth quarter. The trio also talked about Smart's postgame comments regarding Tatum and Brown not wanting to pass, Wojnarowski adds.
The Celtics led the Bulls 103-89 entering the 4th quarter last night and lost 128-114.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 2, 2021
It's the 1st time in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) that a team lost by 14+ points after leading by 14+ entering the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/7IuWYc1NlE
Brown addressed Smart's comments following the Celtics' 92-79 win over the Magic on Wednesday
"Obviously, in the midst of trying to win games, it's something that we probably didn't need," Brown said, courtesy of NBC Sports Boston. "But we all communicate and talk to each other, so we're all trying to find ways to win.
"I'm open to any and everything when guys bring it to me, coaching staff, so I'm always watching film trying to better myself and be a better basketball player and find ways to make my teammates better."
The Celtics' meeting was emotional but not entirely productive or beneficial, as many of the issues discussed have existed for a while, Wojnarowski notes.
Celtics forward Al Horford downplayed the seriousness of the players-only meeting by referring to it as "a chance to break bread," according to the Boston Herald's Mark Murphy.
Boston improved to 3-5 with their win over Orlando. However, first-year head coach Ime Udoka's side still finds itself behind 11 teams in the Eastern Conference.