Celtics Beat Hornets 119-80 in NBA Cup Play as Tatum Scores 34

The Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 119-80 on Friday night, November 6, 2026, in NBA Cup group play at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Jayson Tatum scored a game high 34 points in 29 minutes, and Boston moved to 2-0 in East Group C.

Boston took control in the first quarter and never gave it back. The Celtics led 40-20 after the first quarter and 70-39 at halftime. The quarter scores were Boston 40, 30, 26 and 23, and Charlotte 20, 19, 18 and 23. The final margin was 39 points.

Tatum finishes in three quarters

Tatum had 34 points with 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He shot 9 of 16 from the field, 5 of 8 on three pointers and 11 of 11 on free throws. He reached 34 points in three quarters and sat out the fourth as Boston led by more than 30 heading into the final frame and used its reserves.

Tatum scored one more point than the Hornets starters scored combined. The six time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion has now scored at least 30 points in three of his last four outings in Charlotte.

Derrick White scored 18 points with 4 rebounds and 5 assists for Boston.

Hornets fall to 3-7

Naz Reid led Charlotte with 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Tidjane Salaun added 13 points. Charlotte falls to 3-7 on the season. The Hornets entered the game on a five game losing streak.

The win puts Boston atop East Group C at 2-0 in NBA Cup play and 7-2 on the season. Point differential matters in NBA Cup group play, and a 39 point win helps Boston in that count as well as in the standings.

Boston next plays on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.

What the numbers show

The first quarter set the shape of the night. Boston scored 40 points in that quarter while Charlotte scored 20, and the 31 point halftime gap came from that start. Boston scored 30 in the second quarter, 26 in the third and 23 in the fourth. Charlotte scored 19 in the second, 18 in the third and 23 in the fourth, matching Boston only in the last quarter, after Tatum had sat down and Boston was using its reserves. Tatum line of 34 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists came in 29 minutes, with perfect free throw shooting at 11 of 11 and 5 three pointers from 8 attempts.