Dillon Mitchell’s Lightning‑Fast NBA Debut with the Boston Celtics

Early Draft Journey and Immediate Arrival

Dillon Mitchell left St. John’s after being selected 40th overall by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. The Tampa, Florida native went through a demanding pre‑draft routine that included 16 separate workouts. Once the call came, he was on a plane to Boston, transitioning straight into professional life. “You go through 16 workouts during the pre‑draft process,” he later said, “you get a call, and you’re on your way to Boston, and it’s straight to work.”

First Impressions in Nevada

Mitchell’s debut with the Celtics came during the annual NBA exhibition series in Nevada, where Boston edged out the Summer Toronto Raptors. “Fast, but just enjoying it,” he remarked via CLNS Media when describing his first few weeks. The experience has been swift, but the rookie says he’s grateful and focused on daily improvement. “You can’t complain. You’re grateful, blessed to be here, and continue to get to work every day,” he added. The image capturing his draft day moment highlights the excitement of that pivotal night.

Building Chemistry and Competing Collectively

Once the roster solidified, Mitchell’s main focus shifted to forging chemistry with his new teammates. “I think playing together, learning how to play together still,” he explained, emphasizing the early stage of unity. With only about a week of practice together, the Celtics have leaned heavily on competition to bridge gaps. “We went down yesterday and we kept fighting, kept guarding until our offense could catch up,” he said, highlighting a gritty mindset. For Mitchell, the priority is simple: keep battling and let teamwork evolve on the floor.

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This piece originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Dillon Mitchell on adjusting to Boston Celtics, NBA