The Boston Celtics began their 2026 Emirates NBA Cup campaign with an impressive 125-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday, as Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard delivered outstanding performances to lead their team to success in East Group C.
Tatum produced an excellent all-around performance, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to help Boston secure its opening victory. However, Payton Pritchard stole much of the attention with a game-high 30 points, knocking down three three-pointers and recording two steals in an impressive offensive display.
Paul George also made a valuable contribution for the Celtics, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists, alongside three steals. His all-around performance provided Boston with another important offensive option as the team maintained its advantage over Chicago.
Despite the Bulls’ efforts, they struggled to contain Boston’s attacking quality, eventually falling 125-111. The Celtics’ ability to receive significant contributions from multiple players proved decisive as they secured a 14-point victory.
The result moves Boston to 1-0 in East Group C, giving the Celtics an encouraging start as they look to compete for another major trophy. Their offensive depth, combined with Tatum’s leadership and Pritchard’s scoring ability, could make them a difficult opponent throughout the competition.
For Chicago, the defeat represents a disappointing beginning to its NBA Cup campaign, and the team will need to improve in its upcoming fixtures to strengthen its chances of progressing.
Boston, meanwhile, will hope to carry the confidence from Friday’s performance into its remaining Group Play games as the race for the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup continues.
