After a strong performance from Jaylen Brown, who scored 31 points, the Boston Celtics secured a 108-96 victory against the Washington Wizards in the NBA Cup on Friday night. Despite an off night from teammate Jayson Tatum, who struggled to hit his three-point shots but managed to score 16 points, the Celtics improved their record to 2-1 in East Group C, while the Wizards fell to 0-2 and extended their losing streak to 10 games.
The Wizards fought valiantly in front of their fans, including injured Capitals star Alex Ovechkin. They were only five points behind as the game drew to a close. However, Brown’s high arcing jumper with less than a minute remaining helped solidify the Celtics’ lead. While Tatum was not at his best, he worked hard to maintain a scoring streak, extending it to 55 consecutive games with at least 15 points thanks to late free throws.
Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 23 points, although both teams had difficulty shooting from beyond the arc. The Celtics hit only 11 of 46 attempts, while the Wizards managed 7 of 28.
In terms of player contributions, the Celtics were hindered by the absences of Al Horford due to illness and Kristaps Porzingis. Consequently, Luke Kornet stepped up, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds without missing a shot. Notably, while the Wizards outscored the Celtics in the paint 52-30, this game presented an opportunity missed given the Celtics’ less-than-stellar performance.
A crucial moment came when Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards, down by six in the fourth quarter, missed a close-range attempt, and Tatum’s subsequent jumper shifted momentum in favor of the Celtics.
Looking ahead, Boston will return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, while Washington prepares for a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on the same day.
Overall, while the Celtics battled through injuries and an off night for Tatum, Brown’s standout performance illuminated a path forward in their competitive pursuit. There’s a sense of optimism surrounding the team as they continue to adjust and find their rhythm.