MANILA, Philippines — Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and the Boston Celtics knocked Philadelphia from the ranks of the unbeaten, 109-108, on Friday as the NBA Cup in-season tournament began.
The Celtics avenged a 117-116 loss to the 76ers in their opener at Boston and improved to 3-3 while dropping the host Sixers to 4-1.
“Just grit. I think we just slugged it out,” said Brown, whose 13-of-19 shooting including 4-of-7 from three-point range.
Tyrese Maxey, who led Philadelphia with 26 points and 14 assists, and VJ Edgecombe sank three-pointers to lift the 76ers within 108-106 with 51 seconds remaining.
Brown added what turned out to be the deciding free throw with 32.9 seconds remaining but Maxey sank a layup with 20.8 to play to lift the 76ers within the final margin.
Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Doncic, sidelined a week ago with a left finger sprain and lower left leg bruise, scored 44 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and passed off six assists in a triumphant return with a 117-112 victory at Memphis.
“I was very happy to see him back,” Lakers standout Austin Reaves said. “He has the capability of putting a team on his back and I think he did that tonight.”