Tuesday night’s NBA play-in tournament matchup between the Celtics and Wizards features two teams that ended the regular season on much different notes.
Boston saw any hopes of a deep playoff run evaporate when Jaylen Brown underwent surgery on his left wrist during the final week of the 2020-21 campaign. The Celtics had already been stumbling down the final stretch even with Brown available, so it’s difficult to imagine a path back to the Eastern Conference finals now that their All-Star forward is out until next season.
Washington, meanwhile, surged into the play-in tournament by winning 15 of its last 20 games. The Wizards are led by the dynamic duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double for the fourth time in five seasons.
Will the Wizards keep their hot streak going and surge into the first round? Or will the Celtics snag the No. 7 seed?
Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Celtics vs. Wizards on Tuesday night. Follow along here for complete results from the NBA’s Eastern Conference play-in tournament game.
MORE: Explaining the NBA’s play-in tournament
Celtics vs. Wizards score
| Play-in game | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Celtics | 27 | — | — | — | — |
| Wizards | 21 | — | — | — | — |
Celtics vs. Wizards live updates, highlights from NBA play-in game
(All times Eastern)
9:40 p.m. — The most majestic play in basketball: A Robin Lopez hook shot.
End of first quarter: Celtics 27, Wizards 21
9:30 p.m. — A hot start for Boston. The Celtics hit five of their first 10 3-point attempts
9:15 p.m. — The Celtics jump out to an early 17-11 lead. Something to watch: Wizards forward Rui Hachimura has already picked up two fouls. It will be interesting to see how Washington coach Scott Brooks handles his minutes.
9 p.m. — And here we go. Wizards center Alex Len scores the first points of the game, and Celtics guard Evan Fournier answers with a 3-pointer.
8:50 p.m. — The Pacers finish off their destruction of the Hornets to advance to the next play-in game. The loser of the Celtics-Wizards game will face the Pacers on Thursday.
8:35 p.m. — Check out this Russell Westbrook outfit. That is a man ready to notch another triple-double.
8:25 p.m. — Good news for the Celtics: Robert Williams, who had been dealing with turf toe, is available for the play-in game.
Celtics vs. Wizards start time
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Wizards vs. Celtics is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. You can also live-stream the game via Watch TNT or the Watch TNT app.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
May 18
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wizards vs. Celtics | 9 p.m. | TNT |
May 19
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
May 20
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Loser | 8 p.m. | TNT |
May 21
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser | TBD | ESPN |
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