NBA News Wire
Wizards 118, Celtics 92
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
WASHINGTON — Center Marcin Gortat scored 22 points and guard John Wall had 13 points and 10 assists as the Washington Wizards clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2008 with a 118-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Guard Bradley Beal had 19 points for the Wizards (39-36), who never trailed, led by 15 points in the first quarter, 57-46 at halftime and as many as 33 in the second half.
Washington shot 62.5 percent from the field, its best performance since the 2001 season. Six players score in double figures, including all five starters.
Sixth in the Eastern Conference, Washington entered the day 2 1/2 games behind the Brooklyn Nets and two games ahead of the Charlotte Bobcats.
Forward Jared Sullinger scored 25 points and center Kelly Olynyk added 14 in the Celtics’ 11th straight road loss. Boston (23-52) has dropped six in a row and 11 of 12 overall.
Boston guard Rajon Rando scored 13 points in his return after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Forward Trevor Ariza had 18 points and Trevor Booker scored 10 for the Wizards. Forward Al Harrington added 12 off the bench and his 3-pointer gave Washington its largest lead at 95-62 one minute into the fourth quarter.
The Celtics finished 3 of 24 from beyond the arc and shot 39.5 percent from the field overall. Washington made 10 of 19 3-point attempts.
After capping the 2007-08 season with a playoff appearance, the Wizards went 117-277 during the next five seasons.
Wall and coach Randy Wittman hugged on the sideline in the game’s final seconds. Wittman, who replaced Flip Saunders during the 2011-12 season, had never qualified for the playoffs as a head coach in seven seasons with three different teams.
Washington could have clinched the postseason earlier this week with a win at Charlotte on Monday or a New York Knicks loss. Instead, the Wizards blew a fourth-quarter lead before falling to the Bobcats 100-94 and the Knicks won two road games.
The Wizards handled their affairs against the Celtics, outscoring Boston 32-16 in the third quarter before the crowd of 17,770.
Gortat made 7 of 10 shots from the field for 16 points in the first half and finished 10 of 13 overall with eight rebounds.
After sinking 8 of 12 attempts in Monday’s loss, Beal made his first seven shots from the field against the Celtics.
Celtics forward Jeff Green scored 13 points but missed all six of his 3-point attempts and finished 3 of 13 overall.
NOTES: Celtics G Avery Bradley (strained right Achilles) did not play. … The season series concludes April 16 in Boston. … Wizards PF Nene (sprained left MCL knee) has yet to return to practice, though he has worked out with team trainers for multiple days, coach Randy Wittman said. Out since Feb. 23, Nene has missed 19 straight games. … Wizards G John Wall posted his second career triple-double against the Celtics on Jan. 22, but Boston F Jeff Green scored 39 points in the Celtics’ 113-111 road victory. …The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. Washington visits the New York Knicks on Friday.
