John Tonje getting a long look from Celtics in summer league and making the most of it
LAS VEGAS — John Tonje is hoping to carry what he learned last season as a two-way player into perhaps another two-way contract this season.
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Tonje is getting a long look with the Celtics’ summer league entry in Las Vegas and has proven to be one of the better players on the floor. Boston has only one of its three two-way contracts committed, with big man Amari Williams agreeing to a deal last week.
The club is expected to commit another two-way deal to second-round pick Dillon Mitchell, who struggled, like most of his teammates, in Monday’s 102-90 loss to the Hawks at Cox Pavilion.
Mitchell did, however, show his shooting range and scoring ability in Sunday’s win over the Hornets and is proving to be a keeper.
Tonje, acquired from the Jazz in the Chris Boucher deal, stuck with the Celtics for the final three months of the season but his two-way contract expired.
“I’m trying to show the work that we’ve been putting in this summer,” said Tonje, who scored 5 points on 2-for-8 shooting. “Trying to show it on both ends of the floor and also show a little bit of leadership to the younger guys in here.
“I know the [two-way contract] is in the back of my mind, but I’m really focused on getting better. I love to improve and I’m blessed to be here honestly.”
Another competitor for a two-way contract is former University of Houston point guard Milos Uzan, the Las Vegas native who has assumed point guard duties. Uzan is coming off a rough offensive senior season for the Cougars, but collected 11 assists to two turnovers in his first two summer games.
The summer Celtics went nearly six minutes without scoring in the second period, yielding a 14-0 run and could never really make it competitive the rest of the way.
Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. led Boston with 16 points along with five rebounds and four blocks, but also had five turnovers with two missed dunks.
Mitchell added 11 points along with Tucker DeVries. Undrafted Kobe Johnson, brother of Hawks’ All-Star forward Jalen, led the Hawks with 30 points.
Despite a frustrating performance and the game being decided early in the fourth quarter, coach Amile Jefferson continued to push his guys until the final minutes. The little-used reserves ended the game with an encouraging run.
“It’s a great growth experience for me,” Jefferson said. “For me, it’s just finding ways to get better and help these guys develop and reach their dreams. It was finding ways to keep coaching these guys and keep them motivated and trying to keep our habits strong.”
It was the Celtics’ third game in four days and lone back-to-back of the summer league. Fatigue definitely appeared to be a factor with the frontline players.
“Some of us aren’t used to it and I don’t know if I’ve played a back-to-back since AAU days,” Mitchell said. “Some just coming out with the right energy, right mind-set. I felt like the second group in the last six minutes really turned it up and they came out with the right energy and they came out and competed. Just a learning lesson and we’ll be ready the next time.”
Other observations:
⋅ The Celtics are beginning to stagger rest for their contracted players, with Hugo González and Williams getting the day off.
The Celtics continue their summer league schedule Wednesday against the Kings and then a fifth game against a yet-to-be determined opponent.
Jefferson wouldn’t say if Williams or González will be shut down for the rest of summer league.
⋅ With the loss, the Celtics (2-1) are unlikely to compete for a championship. Sunday’s championship game is based on records and score differential. The Celtics were one of seven teams that entered Monday undefeated.
⋅ The Derrick White coaching stint lasted one game as the staff returned to normal. As summer league progresses, roster players coming to watch their teams begins to dry out. And while majority governor Bill Chisholm, in town for Tuesday’s Board of Governors meeting, attended Monday’s game, no Celtics players were seen.
⋅ As the Celtics look to fill their G League Maine roster, a player to watch is DeVries, a seasoned college player who finished his career at Indiana playing for his father. DeVries hit three 3-pointers.
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