Gary Washburn

The Celtics earned their first win of the season Monday night as they continue to test their newcomers, including Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez.

The rookie, thought ticketed for seasoning in the G League, impressed the Celtics coach in training camp.

The visitors outscored the Knicks in three of the four quarters, but that hardly matters when they allowed 42 points in a brutal second period.

Without the financial flexibility to sign a quality center from elsewhere, the Celtics are banking the 26-year-old is ready for the biggest responsibility of his career.

Pearl, a Sharon native, left his post as Auburn men's basketball abruptly last month. He's become a polarizing figure because of his conservative values and his opinion on the war in Gaza.

Assistant coach Sam Cassell commented that this is the most difficult training camp in his 34 years of NBA basketball. Joe Mazzulla begged to differ.

So consider this an audition of sorts for Simons, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and wants to be considered an All-Star-caliber player.

Tatum, who has not counted out returning this season, decided to use his recovery to defy odds and set standards.

Adding a 20-point-per-game scorer will only benefit an offense that most certainly will change with Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford gone.

The NBA will investigate the Clippers as owner Steve Ballmer has claimed they were scammed by a founding partner in the team's new arena that went bankrupt.