Jayson Tatum showcased his brilliance with a commanding performance of 25 points and 11 rebounds in just under 30 minutes, leading the Boston Celtics to an emphatic 122-102 triumph over the Washington Wizards on a thrilling Thursday night. Jaylen Brown matched Tatum’s intensity, netting 27 points in the Celtics’ inaugural away fixture of the season.

Derrick White and Payton Pritchard chipped in with 19 and 15 points respectively, as the reigning NBA champions extended their impressive win streak against the Wizards to five games.

Wizards Strive but Fall Short

On the Wizards’ side, Jordan Poole delivered an impressive first-half performance, scoring 20 of his total 26 points. Jonas Valanciunas, making his debut for Washington, added 18 to the tally. Despite their efforts, the night belonged to the Celtics.

Boston took an early double-digit lead, and after outscoring the Wizards 34-19 in the third quarter, the game was out of the Wizards’ reach.

Celtics March On

The Celtics have started their title defense in style, winning two games without being seriously challenged. Tatum took the fourth quarter off, with Brown and White retiring with over 8 minutes left.

Wizards’ Young Blood Struggles

The Wizards, fielding rookies Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington in an incredibly youthful starting lineup, showed promise in the first half. However, their third-quarter struggles, reminiscent of the last season, saw them lose momentum. Carrington’s night was further marred by a potential injury following an unfortunate fall in the fourth quarter.

Key Moments and Stats

The Celtics capitalized on the first half, going on a 10-1 run to extend their lead. Tatum displayed his range with two 3-pointers, before assisting Brown on consecutive running layups, taking the score to 64-54 in Boston’s favor.

The Wizards’ starting lineup boasted an average age of just 22.72. As per Elias Sports Bureau, this is the youngest in the NBA so far this season, and the youngest for the franchise since the league began recording starters’ ages in 1970.

What’s Next?

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, with the Celtics heading to Detroit, while the Wizards host Cleveland.

Anthony Caldwell is a sports writer known for his bold opinions and sharp commentary. With a strong focus on basketball and boxing, Anthony’s articles are as much about the personalities as they are about the stats. His ability to connect with athletes and tell their stories has made him a standout at 21Sports.com. Outside of writing, Anthony is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys training in various martial arts disciplines.