Jaylen Brown had an impressive performance, scoring 31 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Washington Wizards 108-96 in the NBA Cup on Friday night. This victory improves the Celtics’ record to 2-1 in East Group C, while the Wizards fell to 0-2, marking their tenth consecutive defeat.
Despite a subpar performance from Jayson Tatum, who struggled with his shooting and went 0 for 10 from beyond the arc, he still managed to contribute 16 points to the team’s success. He extended his streak to an impressive 55 consecutive games with at least 15 points by securing a couple of free throws in the final seconds.
The action was competitive, with the Wizards, who played in front of an audience that included recently injured Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, managing to stay close. However, Brown’s crucial jump shot towards the end of the game helped secure the win for his team.
In terms of shooting accuracy from three-point range, both teams faced challenges, with Boston hitting just 11 of 46 attempts and Washington making 7 of 28. The Celtics were also without Al Horford due to a non-COVID illness, and Kristaps Porzingis was absent as well. As a result, Luke Kornet stepped up, contributing six points and six rebounds without any missed shots.
While the Wizards did excel in total points scored in the paint, tallying 52 against Boston’s 30, they missed a crucial chance to capitalize on a night when the Celtics were not at their best.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will return home to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, while the Wizards will face the Indiana Pacers on the same day.
This match not only highlights the resilience of the Celtics and the potential of Jaylen Brown but also sets the stage for future games, where both teams will look to improve. With key players missing, the performance of role players like Kornet is a testament to the depth and potential of the Celtics roster.
In a positive light, this game serves as an opportunity for both teams to analyze their performances and make necessary adjustments moving forward in the season.