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Brian Scalabrine answered the challenge of NYC streetball’s George ‘The Messiah’ Papoutsis
After an incredible amount of trash-talking (and some basketball), the two ended the matchup with a friendly photo.
Brian Scalabrine’s trip to New York: Simultaneous to the Celtics’ trip to New York to play the Nets over the weekend (a game which Boston won 115-113) was another momentous basketball matchup: Former Celtic (and current commentator) Brian Scalabrine vs. basketball social media personality George “The Messiah” Papoutsis.
The 1-on-1 competition originated a few days earlier when Scalabrine was named as the NBA player “The Messiah” (a former New York City cab driver) thought he could beat.
“Oh hell no,” Scalabrine replied seeing the challenge.
“I’m going to be in New York in Saturday, so I’m going to pull up.”
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The 46-year-old Scalabrine, whose NBA playing career ended in 2012, showed up at “The Cage” on West 4th Street in New York City a few hours before the Celtics-Nets matchup he provided commentary for.
Amid an incredible amount of trash-talking, the two played what could be described as a basketball game (along with a fair amount of near-wrestling).
As for the outcome, it proved to be an anticlimax. The 6-foot-8 Scalabrine reportedly emerged as an 11-0 winner.
Here’s footage from the matchup (note: strong language).
Brian Scalabrine pulled up to The Cage on West 4th and started foaming at the mouth pic.twitter.com/8EJjTrWREi
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 15, 2025
Afterward, Scalabrine and Papoutsis showed respect for each other, posing for a photo.
“Big love to @whitemamba for coming out and doing this for the culture,” Papoutsis wrote in the caption of his postgame Instagram post (referencing Scalabrine’s informal ex-NBA nickname and Instagram handle).
Trivia: In 2001, Brian Scalabrine led USC to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual champions Duke. Can you name the three Duke players from that team who went to become NBA first-round picks (over the next two seasons)?
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(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: One was taken sixth overall in 2001 by the Vancouver Grizzlies. The other two were taken second and third overall in 2002 by the Bulls and Warriors, respectively.
Scores and schedules:
Tonight, the Bruins face the Sabres at 7 p.m. at TD Garden.
Also today, the Red Sox play the Braves in a spring training game at 1:05 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Celtics host the Nets at 7:30 p.m.
The Boston Fleet will also be in action on Tuesday, hosting the Montréal Victoire at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- A bracket of the best trades in Boston sports history
- 5 veteran offensive linemen Patriots can still target after first week of NFL free agency
- Chris Sale explained why he honored Luis Tiant in Saturday’s Braves-Red Sox game
- Don Sweeney maps out Bruins’ ‘change of direction’ with roster, path forward
- Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis says upper respiratory illness was reason for missing 8 games
- Bill Belichick shows off leg strength in latest viral social media post with girlfriend
- Kristaps Porzingis returns, shines as Celtics hold off Nets to sweep road trip: 8 takeaways
- 3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 2-1 loss vs. New York City FC
The men’s NCAA bracket: Two-time defending champions UConn are an eighth seed this year in the West Region, and will potentially face No. 1 seed Florida in the Round of 32 should the Huskies advance past Oklahoma.
THE BRACKET 🙌#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/fo6lA8hJ7g
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2025
And the women’s NCAA bracket: Speaking of UConn, Paige Bueckers and the Huskies are in the same region as superstar JuJu Watkins and USC.
The #MarchMadness bracket is set. Who are your #WFinalFour picks? 🤔
— NCAA Women’s Final Four (@WFinalFour) March 17, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/QIQn4M1ska
🎟️ https://t.co/oNWQdiTrHB pic.twitter.com/voDdqM1dt3
Keegan’s ace: Keegan Bradley hit a hole-in-one on the par-3 13th hole at The Players Championship on Sunday.
On this day: In 1963, Bob Cousy was honored at the Boston Garden amid his final Celtics regular season home game. Clearly emotional, Cousy received a rousing reception from Celtics fans prior to the team’s 125-116 win over the Syracuse Nationals (now the Philadelphia 76ers).
Daily highlight: Lio Messi reminded Atlanta United defenders that if you lose focus in a game against the Argentine legend for one second, he can turn it into a (chipped) goal.
Trivia answer: Shane Battier, Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr.
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