After opening the 2023-24 season with two hard-fought wins, the Boston Celtics were in for a less dramatic night. That’s precisely what they got in Monday night’s matchup against the rebuilding Washington Wizards.

The Celtics took control of the game right from the start and maintained their scoring momentum throughout, even though the bench unit faced some challenges in the fourth quarter. The result was a convincing 126-107 victory for the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown shone brightly in this game, putting up 36 points and coming close to the team record for three-pointers made (11 by Marcus Smart) by hitting eight threes through the first three quarters.

Joining him in the offensive barrage was Jayson Tatum, who achieved his second 30+ point performance in just three games, contributing 33 points. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 21 points, but the shorthanded Washington roster simply couldn’t keep up.

The Celtics wasted no time asserting their dominance in this game. They jumped to a 13-5 lead in the opening minutes, forcing the Wizards to call a timeout. When the game resumed, the Celtics added a few more baskets, extending their lead to double digits and beyond. Jaylen Brown was in top form, starting the game 6-of-9 from the field and delivering 16 first-quarter points.

It was an offensive showcase, with the Celtics appearing to be playing a different game altogether compared to the sluggish Wizards. Boston finished the first quarter with a commanding 42-19 lead.