Feb. 27, 2026, 5:02 a.m. CT
Wisconsin basketball great John Tonje made his NBA regular-season debut on Wednesday night.
The Wisconsin standout went scoreless in four minutes off the bench during the Boston Celtics’ 97-81 win over the Phoenix Suns. He missed his only shot attempt and committed one personal foul.
Tonje began his rookie year with the Utah Jazz, who selected him in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft. After starting the year with Utah’s G League affiliate, Tonje was sent to the Celtics before the early-February trade deadline. He appeared in two games with the Maine Celtics (G League), averaging 33.7 minutes, 25 points and 5 1/2 rebounds during that short sample. The NBA club then signed Tonje to a 10-day contract on Feb. 19, leading to Wednesday’s debut.
Tonje will have his work cut out for him to remain on the Celtics’ active roster. The team is back in action on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, then continues with a matchup on Sunday, March 1, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tonje’s 10-day contract expires after the 76ers game, unless the Celtics choose to extend him.
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