Celtics Hold Off Wizards 111-100 as Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta Lead Boston to Victory

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics overcame a late surge from the Washington Wizards to secure a 111-100 win on Saturday night, sending Washington to their 11th consecutive loss while snapping a two-game skid of their own.

Jayson Tatum recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds in a season-high 32 minutes, marking his second double-double since returning from Achilles tendon surgery earlier this month. Neemias Queta anchored Boston’s inside presence with 24 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Celtics dominate the paint 54-30. Jaylen Brown added 16 points as Boston regained momentum in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Celtics expanded their lead to 30 points in the third quarter, but coach Joe Mazzulla kept Tatum on the floor to allow him to reach a high for minutes in the four games he has played since his return. Previously, Tatum had been limited to 27 minutes per contest to manage his recovery.

Washington, coming off a game in Orlando where they erased a 17-point deficit to force overtime, mounted a fourth-quarter push that trimmed Boston’s lead to 12 points. Key baskets by Tatum and a 3-pointer from Sam Hauser ultimately sealed the win. Tristan Vukcevic led the Wizards with 22 points, keeping them competitive in the final minutes despite missing opportunities in the paint.

Boston’s strategy early in the game focused on exploiting the Wizards’ vulnerabilities near the rim. Queta scored eight of the team’s first 10 points and totaled 22 in the first half. Forward Luka Garza contributed 15 points in just 15 minutes, connecting on his first three shot attempts to help the Celtics establish dominance. Meanwhile, Washington 7-footer Alex Sarr did not score until late in the second quarter, limiting the Wizards’ interior scoring threat.

The victory positions Boston to maintain a strong standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, particularly as Tatum continues to build conditioning and confidence following his Achilles injury. Washington, struggling to find consistent scoring depth, remains in a prolonged slump that now extends to 11 straight losses.

Looking ahead, Boston will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday, while the Wizards return home to face the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. Both teams will need to address roster rotation and injury management as the regular season nears its final weeks, with playoff positioning and seeding implications on the line.