The Boston Celtics just had one of their most impressive wins of the season, beating the Washington Wizards 146-101. It was the largest margin of victory in the NBA so far, the highest point total, and the highest assist total (35).
Here's what stood out:
First-option Derrick White is… Real?
The looming question going into this game was, “Where will the Celtics’ offense come from without Jaylen Brown?” The answer -- everywhere. But, Derrick White especially stood out as he led the way with 30 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
White, who has struggled through the majority of Boston’s young season, looked like the player fans had hoped he could be before the season started. He played confidently, created offense for himself, and set his teammates up in the process. The Colorado native delivered on a superstar level in Washington.
Hopefully, this sparks a more consistent brand of basketball for him going forward. It would do wonders for this Celtics squad, which is now bustling with potential.
Jordan Walshington D.C. (Credit: Drew Carter)
This dominant Celtics win was truly a team effort. One of the key ingredients was Jordan Walsh’s career night. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you, Walsh probably played the best game of his NBA career.
He finished with 22 points (career best), seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Oh, and he didn’t miss a single one of his eight shots.
Since becoming a starter last month, Walsh’s feel for the game has grown so much. He always seems to know where to be, how to put himself in the best position to impact winning on both ends of the floor.
His perfect shooting night is a great example of this. Not once did Walsh force a shot. He cut, found his way into open space, and took what the defense gave him. This outing, combined with his inspired performance against the Knicks shows the 21-year-old’s potential as a winning player in the NBA.
I truly can’t wait to see how much he’s able to grow as the season unfolds.
Neemias Queta is a starting center in the NBA
This takeaway can’t solely be based on Thursday’s performance, but Neemias Queta has absolutely shattered expectations so far this season. The Portuguese big man spent the majority of his first two seasons with the Cs as the team’s fourth-string center.
Not exactly the strongest background for someone who’s inherited the starting duties in Boston.
Queta’s 17-point, four-rebound, and four-block performance against the Wizards was a reminder of how far he’s come in such a short amount of time. He entered the night averaging 9.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, all while being one of the team’s most important players in terms of plus/minus.