If the Celtics needed a reality check following their season-opening blowout against the New York Knicks, they received one from an unexpected opponent. The Wizards, who had the second-worst record in the NBA last season, startled the defending champions on Thursday night in Washington. Powered by 17 points from Jordan Poole in the first quarter, the underdog team kept up with Boston for the first 20 minutes, even leading by as much as eight against a Celtics squad that seemed off its game.
However, the significant talent difference between the two teams eventually asserted itself. The Celtics gained momentum late in the second quarter and dominated the second half, resulting in a 122-102 victory at Capital One Arena.
Jayson Tatum maintained his strong season start, contributing 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and one steal for Boston, despite hitting only 3 of 11 from beyond the arc. In the first quarter, Tatum nearly matched Poole with 14 points and came close to recording a first-half double, ending the half with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Jaylen Brown marked his 28th birthday with a stellar performance, scoring 27 points along with eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals. He displayed physicality by attacking the rim assertively, having gained muscle this offseason, and successfully made three of six three-point attempts, including two in quick succession to start the fourth quarter.
Derrick White effectively fulfilled the role of a third scorer for the second consecutive game, finishing with 19 points. This season, the versatile guard has attempted 17 three-pointers, making 10 of them (58.8%), building on his impressive long-range shooting from last year’s playoff run.
In terms of three-point shooting, Payton Pritchard bounced back from a poor outing in Tuesday’s game by hitting 5 of 10 from deep, his 15 points bolstering Boston’s bench production with Sam Hauser sidelined due to lower back pain. Pritchard also launched a shot from beyond halfcourt—his signature moves, as seen in the NBA Finals—though he released it just after the third-quarter buzzer.
The outcome was predictable given the current circumstances for both teams: the Celtics are aiming for their second consecutive championship, while the Wizards are positioning themselves for a better chance at securing next year’s anticipated No. 1 overall pick, Maine native Duke star Cooper Flagg.
Washington dealt away most of its prominent veterans last season and had two rookies in its starting lineup on Thursday (Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington), along with another rookie in their rotation (Kyshawn George). The Celtics welcomed Sarr, this year’s second-overall pick, to the NBA with a tough introduction. Tatum knocked down three 3-pointers over the 7-foot Frenchman, including back-to-back shots during Boston’s surge in the second quarter, and Jrue Holiday drew fouls on consecutive possessions, sparking an 8-0 Celtics run.
The Wizards countered with a 12-2 run, highlighted by one of Poole’s six 3-pointers, allowing them to take a 51-49 lead just beyond the midway point of the second quarter. However, the Celtics dominated from that point onward. Boston racked up 31 of the next 38 points, with Brown ending the first half with a couple of impressive contested layups.
Poole, who finished with 26 points, was the only standout for the Wizards, managing only nine points in the final three quarters. The remainder of Washington’s team shot a collective 1-for-25 from beyond the arc in the defeat.
After Boston outscored Washington 34-19 in the third quarter, head coach Joe Mazzulla cleared his bench in the fourth, allowing first-round rookie Baylor Scheierman and two-way players JD Davison and Drew Peterson to see their first game action. Boston Celtics’ next challenge against Detroit for another likely uneven matchup on Saturday night.
