BOSTON — The Jahlil Okafor Era began with a flash as the Sixers’ top draft pick hit his first five shots on his way to a team-high 26 points in his NBA debut on Wednesday night at the TD Garden.
But the Sixers couldn’t carry the quick start past the opening quarter, as they fell to the Boston Celtics 112-95 in the 2015-16 opener.
Okafor made five shots after the first quarter, as the Celtics hit the rookie with a barrage of double teams and weak-side defensive help to slow him down.
Nerlens Noel opened the season strong, notching a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. He also had three steals, three blocks and two assists.
Turning point
The Sixers did not score for the final 2:31 of the first quarter, a drought the Celtics used to go on a 21-2 run to turn a nine-point deficit into a lead they would never relinquish. Jared Sullinger and Isaiah Thomas scored six points apiece during the run while the Sixers went 1 for 17 during the Celtics’ decisive run with six turnovers.
Top guns
Thomas came off the bench to lead all scorers with 27 points. When Okafor proved to be too much for starter Tyler Zeller, the Celtics turned to Sullinger, who contributed 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
NBA
Boston’s bench out-scored the Sixers’ bench, 67-15.
The Sixers got 18 points from starting point guard Isaiah Canaan on 6 for 14 shooting. Canaan went 4 for 10 from three-point range with seven rebounds, but had just two assists.
On second thought …
Nik Stauskas was deemed ready to play 90 minutes before tip off and was set to make his debut with the Sixers only to have it derailed by back spasms. Stauskas returned to full practice for the first time since training camp on Tuesday and went through Wednesday morning’s shootaround.
Welcome to the NBA, rook
Along with Okafor, Richaun Holmes, T.J. McConnell and Christian Wood made their NBA debuts. During one stretch in the first half, Holmes, McConnell and Wood were on the floor together.
McConnell logged 27 minutes in his debut with a team-high four assists. Holmes had a basket and three rebounds and Wood grabbed two boards.
Burn the tape …
Starting small forward Hollis Thompson had a rough one, hitting just three of his 15 shots, including 3 for 9 from three-point land.
Jerami Grant also struggled in the opener, going 1 for 6 from the field while registering a minus-22 in 27 minutes.
Hey, old Sixer!
Evan Turner, the Sixers No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, played well off the bench for the Celtics. In 22 minutes, Turner scored six points with four rebounds and two assists. He also caused trouble in the passing lanes on defense, notching a plus-23.
Up next
The Sixers return to action on Friday night when they take on Utah in the home opener. The last time the Sixers beat Utah was Nov. 16, 2012 at the Wells Fargo Center.