Jayson Tatum led the way for the Boston Celtics with a standout 28-point, 12-rebound performance, propelling his team to a comfortable 112-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.
Returning from a brief absence due to a knee issue, Tatum showed no signs of rust, helping Boston secure its seventh straight win over Washington and third on the Wizards’ home floor this season.
The Celtics were in full control from start to finish, with Payton Pritchard stepping up off the bench to drain five three-pointers and contribute 15 points. Derrick White matched Pritchard’s scoring total, continuing his solid two-way play that has been key to Boston’s early-season success.
On the other side, Jordan Poole carried the offensive load for the Wizards, finishing with a team-high 21 points. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly showcased his growing potential, adding 19 points in an otherwise tough night for Washington. The Wizards dropped their third straight game and have now lost 16 of their last 17, a stretch that has them firmly anchored at the bottom of the standings.
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Takeaways
For the Celtics, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Kristaps Porzingis exited after just 11 minutes of action, scoring 11 points before being sidelined with right heel pain. Despite his early departure, Boston didn’t miss a beat, relying on their depth and stellar defensive rotations to stifle the Wizards’ offense.
The Wizards, meanwhile, saw strong individual efforts from Justin Champagnie, who notched a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Bub Carrington, who chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds. However, their collective struggles—particularly on defense—continued to undermine their efforts.
Key Moment
The Celtics took control late in the first quarter with a 15-0 run that extended into the second. Tatum was the catalyst, sinking three crucial baskets during the stretch, including a pull-up three-pointer in the closing seconds of the first quarter that pushed Boston’s lead to 11. Derrick White capped the run with a three-pointer early in the second, giving the Celtics a commanding 39-23 advantage.
Key Stat
Boston dominated at the free-throw line, holding a 16-1 advantage in attempts during the first half and finishing the game with a 24-8 edge. This efficiency at the stripe helped the Celtics maintain their cushion throughout the night.
What’s Next
Both teams return to action on Thursday night. The Celtics will look to keep their momentum going as they host Chicago at TD Garden, while the Wizards aim to snap their skid when they welcome Charlotte to Washington.
Boston continues to prove why they’re among the NBA’s elite, combining superstar performances from Tatum with contributions from their deep roster. On the flip side, Washington faces mounting challenges as they search for a spark to halt their downward spiral. One thing is clear: these two teams are heading in very different directions.