NBA Watch: Celtics Rout Wizards at Kids Day in Washington, 116-87

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Esquire Philippines is wrapping up its two month-long NBA Watch at the nation’s capital with Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Washington Wizards and the visiting Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum exploded with a stat line of a season-high 51 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Celtics to a convincing victory over the Wizards.  

The mood at Capital One Arena was festive at the top of the game with Kids Day in full effect. A variety of kid-friendly side events and attractions greeted young fans around the arena and during timeouts. Also, instead of the usual arena announcer, children of the Wizards players surprised their dads on the Jumbotron with their own versions of player introductions to the delight of the crowd. 

Boston's Jayson Tatum attacking the basket en route to a 51-point performance

Photo by Mikko Abello.

Tatum spoiled the home crowd’s mood early in the game, scoring 13 points in the first 12 minutes of action on 3-3 shooting from beyond the arc and 5-6 from the field. The Celtics collectively shot impressively from the three shooting at an 8-14 clip in the opening quarter for a 31-25 lead. 

Tatum would continue his hot shooting in the second quarter, scoring 18 more points, going 6-7 from three to go with 11-14 field goals and 3-3 from the stripe. Heading to the locker rooms at halftime, his 31 points accounted for more than half of his team’s total output at that point. Boston outscored Washington in both quarters and shot better. It was raining threes for the C’s as they went 12-23 from downtown for 52.2 percent. The Wizards’ Bradley Beal led his team at halftime with 13 markers while Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija both had seven apiece at the break as they tried to keep in step with the Celtics, 60-45.

Montrezl Harrell doing extra work after a painful loss to the Celtics

Photo by Mikko Abello.

The third quarter saw a resumption of Tatum’s dominance as he scored 17 points in the third quarter to tally 48 at the end of the period. The sweet shooting did not stop for the former Duke Blue Devil as he made 3-6 from 3-point range. Washington trailed the guests, 91-69 after three periods and it would be the same story in the final quarter as the Celtics secured the 29-point win.

At the post-game press conference, Boston Coach Ime Udoka shared what went on in their dugout.

“I didn’t realize he (Tatum) had 31 at halftime until we looked,” Udoka said. “You could see it going. The shots were falling and him being aggressive but also you know, seven assists again just like last game so he was playing the right way.”

“The game kind of just opened up and then obviously when you get in that zone, there’s nothing like it,” Tatum said. “You just keep going.” 

Washington's Kyle Kuzma at the freethrow line

Photo by Mikko Abello.

According to Marcus Smart, it was a team effort even with getting Tatum his season-high. 

“We definitely knew and were trying to make sure he’d get over that 50 threshold so we were finding him and making sure we try to get him open and get him an easy bucket or two,” Smart shared. “Like I told him earlier, I love to see you guys succeed. I’m here for your success and I’m proud of you. To be able to be a part of that in this night is tremendous for us and for him and we’re proud of him.”

With Sunday’s win, Boston improves their record to .500 at 24-24 while Washington drops to 23-24. The Celtics head home for their next assignment on Tuesday night when they host the struggling Sacramento Kings (18-30). Washington hosts the Los Angeles Clippers (23-25) on the same night.