Boston Celtics defeated Washington Wizards 122-102 with an electrifying display on Thursday, highlighted by Jayson Tatum’s 25 points and 11 rebounds performance in less than 30 minutes of court time, and Jaylen Brown contributing 27 points – marking an outstanding first away game victory of this season for Boston.
Derrick White and Payton Pritchard made major contributions in this victory, contributing 19 and 15 points respectively, which allowed the Celtics to extend their winning streak over the Wizards to five straight.
The Wizards’ Valiant Effort
Despite the loss, the Wizards showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from Jordan Poole who scored 20 of his total 26 points before halftime. Jonas Valanciunas, in his debut for Washington, added 18 points. Nonetheless, the Celtics’ dominance was too much for the Wizards to overcome, especially after Boston expanded their lead significantly in the third quarter.
Continued Celtics Dominance
The Celtics have kicked off their championship defense impressively, claiming two victories without facing significant opposition. With the luxury of resting Tatum in the fourth quarter and both Brown and White concluding their play with time to spare, the Celtics demonstrated their depth and talent.
A Challenge for the Wizards’ Youth
With rookies Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington among those starting, the Wizards presented a notably young lineup. Their performance in the first half offered a glimpse of potential, but a difficult third quarter saw them lose ground, continuing a pattern from the previous season. Carrington’s evening ended on a sour note with a possible injury following a fall in the last quarter.
Highlights and Noteworthy Performances
Boston’s effective offense was on full display in the first half, particularly during a 10-1 run that solidified their lead. Tatum was a significant contributor, sinking two 3-pointers and assisting Brown on several occasions to help build a 64-54 lead at halftime.
The Wizards had one of the youngest lineups in the league this season – an average age of just 22.72 years among their roster members was impressive and set an NBA record since tracking began back in 1970.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will reunite on Saturday with the Celtics visiting Detroit while the Wizards host Cleveland.