Jayson Tatum scores 34 as Celtics demolish the Hornets 119-80 in NBA Cup play

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Derrick White added 18 points and the Boston Celtics demolished the Charlotte Hornets 119-80 on Friday night for their seventh win in eight games.

Boston shot 17 of 31 from 3-point range in the first half to build a 31-point lead and improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup play. The Hornets fell to 0-2.

Naz Reid had 14 points for Charlotte, which has lost six straight since coach Charles Lee benched Reid — the team’s biggest offseason acquisition — in the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons because he did not meet “team standards.”

This one was over early.

Tatum erupted for 18 points in the first quarter on three 3s and White added 10 as the Celtics bolted to a 40-20 lead. Boston made 9 of 17 3s in the first quarter.

Charlotte couldn't do anything right.

The Hornets shot 28% from the field in the opening half while turning the ball over eight times.

Tatum remained in the game until the final minute of the third quarter with Boston up 42 as the Celtics padded their point differential numbers for the NBA Cup.

He drew “MVP!” chants from the pro-Celtics crowd after drawing what appeared to be a shooting foul as he swished a 3 from 33 feet. But the basket was waived off after officials ruled the foul was on the floor.

The Hornets played without starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate, and Brandon Miller left the game in the second quarter with right groin soreness and did not return.

Miller was 3 of 10 from the field with eight points before departing and appeared frustrated at times in the first half as Boston pressured him relentlessly.

Lee did not offer a timetable for Knueppel's return after last year's NBA rookie of the year runner-up reinjured his hamstring on Wednesday night at Brooklyn. It was Knueppel's first game of the season.

Celtics: At Milwaukee on Sunday night.

Hornets: Host Cleveland on Monday night.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) drives against Boston Celtics forward Paul George during the first half of an of an NBA Cup basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Paul George (13) battles Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun for a loose ball as Celtics guard Derrick White (9) looks on during the first half of an of an NBA Cup basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) battles Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh for a loose ball during the first half of an of an NBA Cup basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) moves the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Royce O'Neale during the first half of an of an NBA Cup basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's attorney-general on Saturday stood by his decision to seek legal clarifications over a royal order allowing imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, and rejected accusations of treason after the palace insisted it must be implemented.

The dispute marks a rare public clash between the national palace and the government's top legal office over the implementation of a royal decree.

The attorney general on Friday temporarily blockedNajib’s transfer from prison to house arrest, saying more legal clarification was needed.

But the palace Saturday issued a public rebuke, saying King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar's prerogative of pardon for Najib that allowed the house arrest was clear and must be respected, as all conditions have been fulfilled. It warned any attempts to challenge it would amount to defying the royal command.

Najib had left the prison Friday, after his political party paid a 50 million ringgit ($12.3 million) fine required to enable the house arrest order to be carried out. But he was brought back to prison hours later following the attorney-general’s intervention.

Najib has been imprisoned since August 2022, when Malaysia’s top court upheld his conviction in his first graft trial linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of state investment fund 1MDB. Malaysia’s king in September granted Najib clemency, allowing him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest once he pays the court-imposed fine.

The house arrest applies only to his reduced six-year sentence in the first trial. It doesn’t cover a separate 15-year prison sentence imposed in December 2025 for corruption and money laundering in a second major trial tied to the 1MDB scandal. He’s appealing that sentence.

The attorney-general's office Saturday defended its handling of the house arrest order, stressing it wasn't disputing or defying the royal pardon.

It said court clarification was needed on the effect of the high court's discharge order Friday after the fine was paid. It said the key question was whether the discharge order meant Najib had completed his first sentence or still had time left to serve, as this would determine when his second sentence begins.

It reiterated the judicial clarification was necessary to ensure that the decree and existing court rulings were implemented according to the law. Allegations that the move was an insult and treason against the king were baseless, it said.

“Seeking legal certainty through the courts is a responsible step toward upholding the integrity of the administration of justice," it added in a statement.

The standoff is unusual in Malaysia, where the king serves as head of state under a constitutional monarchy while the elected government runs the country and the courts interpret its laws.

FILE - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, escorted by prison officers, arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian,File)