A lot changed for the Boston Celtics between their two most recent matchups with the Washington Wizards. Back in April, Boston was gearing up for a playoff run with hopes of winning back-to-back NBA Championships.
Entering Wednesday’s meeting, the new-look Celtics were just 3-5 through their first eight games, in desperate need of a bounce-back win after an inexplicable loss to the Utah Jazz. They were far from the juggernauts they were in the spring, but still commanded the respect of their opponents, despite key losses like Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Kristaps Porzingis, and the injured Jayson Tatum.