Prospect’s performance in G League showcase should excite Boston Celtics fans

With the Boston Celtics enjoying a few needed days off before taking on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, it’s as good a time as ever to check in on their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. Maine is one of eight teams participating in the G League’s Winter Showcase this week. They played their first game of the event on Monday afternoon against the South Bay Lakers, G League affiliate of rival Los Angeles.

It was a tightly contested matchup that went down to the wire, with Maine coming out on top 112-106. Instead of playing four traditional 12-minute quarters, the G League has been trying out a system similar to the NBA All Star Game. During this event, a target score of 25 points more than the leading team’s total after three quarters is set. With Maine leading 86-85 after three, the target score was set at 111. The Celtics got strong performances from a few different players on Monday. Veteran forward Denzel Valentine led the way for the G League Cs with 25 points on an efficient 9-14 shooting. Valentine caught fire in the fourth quarter, nailing three straight threes to help Maine hone in on victory.

Boston Celtics prospect sinks clutch shot

After Valentine’s hot streak brought the team within one point of the target score, Mfiondu Kabengele iced the game for Maine with a put-back tip-in to help the team hit the total.

The clutch bucket was the icing on the cake for the two-way big man. Kabengele had put together a solid showing in Monday’s game, totaling 18 points and 10 rebounds. He racked up the points efficiently, sinking eight of his 11 shot attempts. He even got to wear a super cool big hat for his post-game interview.

Kabengele first caught the attention of Boston Celtics fans during the 2022 NBA Summer League. The 25-year-old showed out in five summer league appearances for Boston. He averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists while playing for the Cs in Las Vegas. Kabengele’s summer league campaign was enough to convince the Celtics to sign him to a two-way deal, enabling him to suit up for both the Boston and Maine squads this season.

There’s still plenty of room for the Canadian national to grow as a player, but solid showings like Monday are always encouraging. Not to mention, every time he’s played for Boston this season, albeit in garbage time, he’s hustled and played with good energy.