Celtics tell rookie Dillon Mitchell to fire away from 3-point range

LAS VEGAS — The Celtics drafted St. John’s wing Dillon Mitchell in the second round last month largely because they were intrigued by his defense, rebounding, and athleticism.

Read more Senate returns to Washington after Senator Lindsey Graham’s death with uncertain agenda

His shooting numbers as a senior last season were grisly, however. He made just 1 of 15 3-pointers and shot 49.4 percent from the foul line. But Boston’s coaching staff sees potential there, too.

During the Las Vegas Summer League, Mitchell has been working extensively with player development coach Craig Luschenat, and the orders have been clear: When Mitchell is open beyond the arc, he should take aim and fire.

In Sunday’s game against the Hornets, 7-foot-1-inch center Ryan Kalkbrenner guarded Mitchell for stretches. Kalkbrenner gave Mitchell space on the perimeter because he knows Mitchell is most dangerous elsewhere. So Mitchell calmly topped his 3-point total from his entire senior season by connecting on 2 of 5 attempts during the Celtics’ 87-75 win.

“[Celtics coaches] were looking at me every time like, ‘Just shoot the ball,’” Mitchell said. “Just going out there and playing confident, especially hearing their confidence in me to just shoot the ball. I know they’re going to crash [for offensive rebounds].”

Mitchell’s dominance in other areas was less of a surprise. The rookie finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 blocks.

In addition to the two threes, he converted two fast-break baskets off his own steals and a pair of putbacks.

“He was so alive today,” Celtics coach Amile Jefferson said. “He played with such great energy. He crashed every time. He had like three different times where he almost had a tip dunk. So when he’s playing with that kind of pop, he’s going to be really good. And anytime he gets an open three he should shoot it. And he did that today, and he was confident.”

John Tonje added 17 points for the Celtics, who forced 25 turnovers and registered 11 steals and 8 blocks as a team. The Celtics (2-0) will face the Hawks on Monday at 6 p.m.

Other observations from the game:

⋅ During Friday’s opener against the Raptors, Celtics guard Derrick White sat courtside with teammates Jayson Tatum, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh. On Sunday, White took his commitment a step further by joining the coaches on the bench in full coaching uniform. He shouted instructions, offered advice during breaks, and generally looked the part.

Read more Who could replace Lindsey Graham? South Carolina’s next steps after senator’s death.

“Really good for our guys to see him doing that, to be around them, to share his knowledge with them and then to just motivate them on the bench,” Jefferson said. “That breathes Celtics culture. That’s what it’s about.”

⋅ Second-year big man Amari Williams and rookie center Chris Cenac Jr. were the stars of Friday’s win over the Raptors, but both struggled against Charlotte. Cenac was 1 for 7 from the field with 2 points, and Williams had 6 points, 4 blocks, and 5 turnovers.

Tucker DeVries hit a 3-pointer with about 28 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Celtics a two-for-one chance, but Williams wasn’t quite aware of the time bonus. When the Hornets missed a shot as the shot-clock buzzer sounded, Williams grabbed the rebound, thought it was the end-of-quarter buzzer and simply held the ball until he realized the situation and fired up a full-court shot.

⋅ When second-year wing Hugo González went 3 for 16 from the field in Boston’s win over the Raptors on Friday, he called it one of the worst shooting games of his life. His start Sunday wasn’t much better. He was 1 for 6 from the field and 1 for 5 from the 3-point line through three quarters before connecting on 2 of 4 from long range during the fourth.

His five turnovers were mixed in with some impressive moments as a playmaker, and he was the heart of Boston’s defensive attack that forced so many turnovers.

“He has so many tools so use those tools to create defensive advantages for us and try to promote deflections and steals and find ways to do that,” Jefferson said. “So we put him on the team’s best player the whole time and tell him to be himself.”

⋅ Former UConn star Liam McNeeley gave the Celtics problems with his physicality in the opening quarter. McNeeley drew five fouls in the period, with Celtics coaches urging González to stop him from coming out of the left corner and getting to his right hand so easily.

Boston made things more difficult for McNeely in the second, however. During one three-possession stretch, Mitchell and Williams blocked attempts inside, and the Celtics forced another contested miss.

⋅ Former Celtics forward Grant Williams, who is entering his fourth season with Charlotte, was stationed on the baseline trying his hand at photography. During one second-quarter timeout he even walked over and snapped a few pictures of White and Celtics forward Jordan Walsh.

Read more US and Iran vie for Strait of Hormuz, waterway key to global energy supplies, in latest attacks

⋅ Guard Kyle Mangas missed the game due to an illness.