Celtics legend punishes Boston for chasing record in season opener

The Boston Celtics certainly did their best to shoot their way into the NBA record books on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks.

However, it rubbed Cedric Maxwell the wrong way.

The Celtics legend and color commentator on the team's radio show was beside himself as he watched Boston fire three-pointers at the end of their 132-109 season-opening loss at TD Garden. The Celtics needed just one more 3-pointer to tie for the most triples in a single game in NBA history after Al Horford scored Boston's 29th trifecta with 8:54 left.

But that record-breaking three-pointer never came about because Boston ignored its offensive principles in pursuit of it. The Celtics missed their last 13 attempts from long range, going 29 of 61 (47.5%) from long range.

The Celtics faithful in attendance appealed to the Boston reserves to continue trying to take the record with long-range shots. Play-by-play announcer Sean Grande said fans should have found out on social media, which angered Maxwell.

“Get off social media,” Maxwell said on the show. “What the hell is going on here?”

Maxwell seemed pleased that the Celtics fell short of the record, especially after Payton Pritchard, who shot 1-for-9 from 3-point range, missed a three-pointer with 1:26 left.

“Well done, basketball gods,” Maxwell said.

The Celtics had one last chance at the record when they secured a defensive rebound with 35.1 seconds left. But instead of trying, Pritchard received orders from the sideline to run out of time and commit a shot clock violation.

The move was met with boos from the crowd, but Maxwell applauded.

“Thanks, Joe (Mazzulla),” Maxwell said.