Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were unstoppable once again, leading the Boston Celtics to a 122-102 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. Brown poured in 27 points, while Tatum added 25 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, pushing Boston to a 2-0 start and a decisive win over the Wizards in their season opener.
Boston’s sharpshooting was on display, as they sank 17 of their 45 three-point attempts, following up on their record-breaking 29 threes against the Knicks on Tuesday. Key contributions came from Payton Pritchard, who nailed five triples for 15 points, and Derrick White, who added 19 points, including four from beyond the arc. The Celtics built a commanding lead, at one point up by 32 points in the second half, showcasing their depth and cohesion.
The Wizards’ Jordan Poole led his team with 26 points, including an impressive 17 in the first quarter that initially put Washington ahead on a 12-0 run. The Wizards, however, struggled from three, shooting just 7-of-36. Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Kuzma contributed with 18 and 12 points, respectively, but the offense struggled to keep up with Boston’s blistering pace.
Washington’s rookie Alex Sarr, the No. 2 draft pick, had a tough debut, finishing with two points on 1-of-7 shooting. Despite his challenges, Sarr logged 22 minutes, giving fans a glimpse of his potential, particularly on defense.
Boston’s depth was again on display as Neemias Queta stepped up with 12 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes, filling in for Sam Hauser, who sat out with a lower back issue.
The Celtics pulled away decisively in the third quarter, outscoring the Wizards 34-19 to build a 98-73 lead heading into the final period. Tatum and Brown’s relentless energy, combined with their smooth shooting, sent a clear message: the Celtics are serious about defending their title.
With Boston off to a hot start, the reigning champions appear poised for another dominant season. Will they continue to deliver, or can the Eastern Conference put up a challenge?
