Larkin seals Celts first win of the season
Shane Larkin got a chance to play significant minutes last night against the Philadelphia 76'ers. He played 19 minutes, scoring 10 points on four-of-five from the field including two-for-two on threes. He also had two rebounds and four assists. But the most important part of his game is found the the tweet below:
Shane Larkin was a game-high +16 tonight. 🤔
— Mark Van Deusen (@LucidSportsFan) October 21, 2017
Shane had only played a total of four minutes in the first two games of the season, but got a good run last night against Philly. Boston really needed this victory, their first of the young season, and they got it in large part because of Larkin's play. This from NBC Sports' A. Sherrod Blakely on Larkin's contribution to the win:
Boston (1-2) was led by Kyrie Irving’s game-high 21 points, but it was Shane Larkin's floor game down the stretch that truly catapulted Boston to its first win of the season.
Larkin, who was seeing action in large part because Marcus Smart was out with a left ankle injury, provided a huge spark in the fourth before finishing with 10 points and four assists.
He drained a 3-pointer that tied the game at 75-all, which was part of an 18-9 Celtics run.
The injuries have been piling up very early in the season, and Shane's timing couldn't be better. Brad Stevens had stated previously that he felt Larkin would have a significant impact and that he might pair him in the back court with Kyrie Irving or Terry Rozier. As he showed last night, Shane is an athlete and scorer that can also distribute the ball. I liked Danny Ainge's move signing this guy, and I like it much more now. The kid can play.
Larkin photo via Twitter