Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard drives to the basket for a layup past Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez) AP

The Celtics play their final group-stage game in the NBA Cup on Friday, and can win the group and a trip to the knockout round if they beat Chicago and the Cavaliers defeat the Hawks in Atlanta. Boston,

Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer with 35 points, but it was Payton Pritchard who came up big, setting a new season high with 29 points. Celtics come away with the 138-129 win against the Chicago Bulls.

Although the Celtics beat the Bulls Friday night, Atlanta clinched the NBA Cup knockout round berth from East Group C. The Celtics and Hawks both won on Friday to finish at 3-1 atop the group standings.

T he map has been laid out for the Boston Celtics journey to the next stage of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. Due to the Atlanta Hawks 16-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Fri

The Boston Celtics can wrap up Group C in the NBA Cup group stage on Friday night if they beat the Bulls in Chicago. But they'll also need a little help earlier in the afternoon.

Jayson Tatum is unquestionably one of the best players in the world. The Boston Celtics forward is an elite scorer, playmaker, rebounder, screener and high-level defender. Last season, he helped lead the Celtics to a franchise 18th championship while operating as their star player.

Despite winning the NBA Championship and an Olympic gold medal, Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum has garnered a lot of flack. Even though he was a key part of both teams, Tatum has garnered criticism for not being named Finals MVP (that went to teammate Jaylen Brown) and for being benched for Team USA against Nikola Jokic and Serbia.