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Boston Celtics Staff Caught Using Ridiculous NBA 2K-Style Scouting Report for Raptors Players Right Before Game

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Ayushi Bhardwaj | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 4:55 PM ET

Basketball preparation usually stays behind closed doors, but sometimes fans catch something unexpected. Before a January matchup, a short courtside clip showed how modern basketball culture blends games, data, and real strategy in ways few imagined years ago.

Ahead of the January 10, 2026, game between the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors, a video surfaced on X, showing a Celtics assistant coach helping Xavier Tillman prepare using a scouting report that appeared to be straight out of NBA 2K.

The seven-second clip showed a laptop slideshow with Raptors players listed alongside NBA 2K-style badges like Posterizer and Limitless Range. In the same match, another viral clip caught Jayson Tatum holding back laughter after Raptors rookie Colin Murray-Boyles dunked on Payton Pritchard.

For gamers, the images felt familiar. NBA 2K badges serve as simple symbols that indicate a player’s strengths and weaknesses. Seeing them used for a real NBA game surprised fans and sparked curiosity more than criticism.

The Celtics scouting report for the Raptors has their NBA 2K badges pic.twitter.com/03D2gyh498
— Hoops Alerts (@TheHoopsAlerts) January 10, 2026

The Celtics went on to beat Toronto 125-117 at TD Garden. Tillman did not log minutes, but other Boston players did. The result made the unusual preparation method look harmless, if not quietly effective, by the final buzzer.

Celtics Dominate Raptors In Long-Running Head-to-Head Matchup

CANTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 25: A detail of the General Electric logo on the jersey of the Boston Celtics’ during Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 25, 2017 in Canton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The victory has added another chapter to the long rivalry. The Celtics, after the result of January 9, 2026, hold a 76-43 advantage over the Raptors in the regular-season games, which the two teams have played 119 times.

The season between these two teams already favored Boston, with the latter taking the wins on December 7 and December 20. The most recent win has not only reinforced that but also indicated that the long tradition of preparation, whether typical or not, continues to play a significant role in the execution of the game on the court.

Now, the Boston team will prepare for a tougher test against the San Antonio Spurs. If the Celtics manage to slip into the NBA 2K badges again, fans will be watching closely to see how they categorize Victor Wembanyama next.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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