Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from rout over Washington Wizards

The Boston Celtics are fresh off getting their first win versus a young Indiana Pacers team since the dreaded Robert Williams meniscus injury. The Washington Wizards are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but have won four out of their last five games playing the role of spoiler in the east.

The notable injuries and absences for both sides were Robert Williams recovering from surgery on his meniscus and Nik Staukas with an ankle injury he suffered in Maine. The Wizards lost Bradley Beal for the season to wrist surgery and Kyle Kuzma, who has been one of their lone bright spots but has missed substantial time with knee tendinitis.

The opening quarter saw Jaylen Brown score the Celts’ first 11 points in a quick fashion.

Washington did not have much of an answer for the passing game of Boston and stifling defensive rotations, falling behind 35-22.

The second quarter was more even between the two teams, but the C’s did not lose any ground behind aggressive play from the Jays looking to score and make the right reads offensively.

The Celtics’ bench started making an immediate impact as there was no discernable dropoff when the trio of Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White checked into the game.

The second half saw the C’s outscore the Wizards 74-43 as this is when the blowout started getting its wings. It included an amazing 17-2 run by Boston and a five-minute stint for the end of the bench reserve unit.

A rare lineup of Aaron Nesmith, Sam Hauser, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, and Luke Kornet closed the game.

You know it’s a great and considerable-sized win when garbage time is happening so early in the fourth.

Here are 3 takeaways from Boston’s rout over the Washington Wizards:

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 1) The Jaylen Brown show

Jaylen Brown was an absolute heatseeker during Sunday’s matinee for the Boston Celtics, and the Wizards had no answer for his offensive attack.

JB finished with 36 points on a near 71 percent shooting clip while also adding seven rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals for what was a complete game for the star.

Defensively, he was a team-high +36 and it showed with his attention to detail on that end of the floor, as his engagement with closing out on shooters, timely rotations, and securing the defensive rebound to prevent second-chance points were all keys components to his play.

This is one of the best stretches of basketball in the 25-year-old wing’s young basketball career.

Brown has registered a career-best nine consecutive games with over 25 points as a second option–that’s incredible.

In his last ten games, Jaylen is averaging 26.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on roughly 54 percent shooting from the field, 45 percent shooting from deep, and 80 percent shooting from the foul line.

This is the best version of the All-Star that we’ve ever seen and it could not be coming at a more opportune time with playoffs approaching.

Between him and Jayson Tatum, we may have a pair of superstars on our hands who have not even hit their primes.

They are only going to get better as they are having all defensive caliber performances on one end and are each capable of flat-out taking over games with their offensive attack.

So deep into their bags, hitting the fries at the bottom!

There is a legitimate debate that they’ve been the best duo in the NBA this season with the way they play off each other and excel on both ends.

Missing Jaylen Brown for much of last year was a big problem as to why this team was not able to put it together.

He’s been available this year and is playing out of his mind.