The Celtics opened their eight-game preseason slate with a road game in, of all places, UMass on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cs lost the game, 98-92, despite leading by as manny as 14, 65-51, midway through the third. The team was without head coach Doc Rivers, who was tending to a personal family matter and backup point guard Sam Cassell, who was tending to a family emergency. Here’s a sampling of what they players and coaches had to say about the contest and Bill Walker’s highlight film dunks in the second quarter.

Acting head coach Tom Thibodeau summed up his team’s performance in the preseason opener.

Thibodeau on the young cast of characters, led by airwalking Bill Walker, with two spectacular dunks in the second quarter.

Bill Walker on the electrifying dunks.

Eddie House said it was good to get out on the court for a game.

Kevin Garnett said it was fun to see everyone out there on the court.

Garnett said Bill Walker is special.

Garnett said there was lots of energy in the Mullins Center building for this game.

Paul Pierce said there were lots of positives to draw from Wednesday night.