The Boston Celtics (12-9) take on the Washington Wizards (3-17) in an Atlantic Division, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, enters on a two-game winning streak after a gritty 123-117 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday, where Jaylen Brown erupted for a season-high 42 points. The Wizards, mired in last place in the East and tied for the league’s worst record, are coming off a 121-102 blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on the same night, extending their road skid to 1-11. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season due to an Achilles injury, the Celtics have leaned on Brown’s MVP-caliber play (29.0 PPG over his last five games) and a resurgent defense (third in the NBA at 111.2 PPG allowed). Washington, embracing a tank for draft positioning, ranks dead last in defensive efficiency and net rating (-13.86), but flashes of youth from Alex Sarr (19.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) offer glimmers of hope. This matchup could be a bounce-back spot for Boston against a Wizards squad desperate for their fourth win.
Venue Location
The game tips off at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Opened in 1997 as the MCI Center (later Verizon Center), this 20,000-seat multi-purpose venue anchors the Penn Quarter/Chinatown neighborhood at 601 F Street NW, directly atop the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station (serving Red, Green, and Yellow lines).
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: NBC Sports Boston (Celtics local), Monumental Sports Network (Wizards local), NBA TV (national highlights), and streaming on Fubo or NBA League Pass (out-of-market access with regional blackouts).
Injury Report
Injuries are a major storyline, with Boston missing its top scorer for the year and Washington decimated in the frontcourt and backcourt. The Wizards’ absences could force more minutes for unproven youth, while Boston’s depth gets tested on the first night of a back-to-back. Updates as of Wednesday afternoon:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Celtics | Jayson Tatum | SF | Out (Season) | Achilles tear; suffered in May 2025 playoffs, no return expected this year. |
| Celtics | Jaylen Brown | SG/SF | Doubtful | Non-COVID illness; averaged 29.0 PPG in last five but missed Wednesday’s practice. |
| Wizards | Alex Sarr | PF/C | Day-to-Day | Left adductor strain; missed last two games but could return Thursday (19.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG leader). |
| Wizards | Bilal Coulibaly | SF | Out | Right oblique strain; sidelined eight games, averaging 8.0 PPG lately. |
| Wizards | Corey Kispert | SG | Out | Thumb injury; out indefinitely, key shooter (36.8% 3PT). |
| Wizards | Tre Johnson | SG | Out | Hip injury; rookie limited to 15 games (11.5 PPG off bench). |
| Wizards | Sharife Cooper | PG | Day-to-Day | Calf strain; missed recent games, backup playmaker. |
| Wizards | Khris Middleton | SF | Day-to-Day | Knee management; played Tuesday but limited, averaging 10.1 PPG in 26 MPG. |
Boston may start Payton Pritchard at PG, Derrick White at SG, and Jordan Walsh at SF if Brown sits. Washington’s rotation shrinks to eight players, elevating Marvin Bagley III and Kyshawn George.
Player Matchups
Tatum’s absence shifts focus to Brown’s scoring vs. Washington’s depleted wings, but depth battles could decide this. Key individual duels:
Jaylen Brown (Celtics) vs. Kyshawn George (Wizards) (If Brown Plays)
Brown’s scorching form (42 PTS Tuesday, 49.9% FG) meets George’s breakout (15.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 4.8 APG). The 22-year-old rookie ranks ninth in 3PT% (43.9%) but struggles defensively (0.9 SPG). Brown, a two-way force (1.1 SPG), has torched Wizards for 35+ in both 2025 meetings. Edge: Brown—expect 30+ if active, exploiting George’s inexperience.
Derrick White (Celtics) vs. CJ McCollum (Wizards)
White’s versatility (16.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG) challenges McCollum’s scoring (18.0 PPG, 3.4 APG). The veteran guard shot 43.6% FG but thrives in isolation; White’s on-ball pressure (37% opponent FG when guarded) could force turnovers (Wizards 16.0 TOPG/game). In H2H, White held McCollum under 15 PTS last time. Edge: White—his defense disrupts Washington’s No. 2 pace (102.0 possessions/48 min).
Neemias Queta (Celtics) vs. Marvin Bagley III (Wizards)
Queta’s rebounding (8.4 RPG, 65.6% FG) faces Bagley’s inefficiency (10.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG on 3.0 TO/game). With Sarr questionable, Bagley starts at C but ranks last in defensive rebound % (21.9%). Queta, off the injury report, dominated the glass in Boston’s 136-107 win over Washington on Nov. 5. Edge: Queta—Wizards lose the rebound battle by 6.0 per game; expect +10 boards combined.
Team Records
Boston’s middling start belies their defensive prowess (third in DRTG at 114.7), while Washington’s rebuild yields the league’s worst marks. Celtics are 7-4 at home but 5-5 on the road; Wizards are 2-6 at home and 1-11 away.
Celtics Overall: 12-9 (.571); Atlantic Division: 3rd; East Conference: 6th.
Wizards Overall: 3-17 (.150); Southeast Division: 5th; East Conference: 15th.
Recent Team Forms
The Celtics are surging (7-3 in last 10), averaging 118.0 PPG while holding foes to 112.1 (top-5 DRTG in that span). They’ve won four of five, including vs. Knicks and Cavaliers, leaning on 15.2 made 3s/game (fifth in NBA). Turnovers remain an issue (14.3/game), but White’s playmaking (3.4 APG) stabilizes.
Washington’s 2-8 skid in their last 10 features a -12.0 differential, scoring 114.1 PPG but allowing 126.1 (last in DRTG). Wins over Bucks (129-126) and Hawks (132-113) show fight, but losses like Tuesday’s (-19) highlight defensive woes (38.3% opponent 3PT).
| Last 10 Games | Record | PPG | OPP PPG | Key Win | Key Loss |
| Celtics | 7-3 | 118.0 | 112.1 | vs. Knicks (123-117) | @ Cavaliers (111-115) |
| Wizards | 2-8 | 114.1 | 126.1 | vs. Bucks (129-126) | @ 76ers (102-121) |
Series History
Boston dominates recent H2H, winning nine straight regular-season games (average +14.9 margin) and 9-1 over the last 10. All-time, Celtics lead 207-120 (.633). Washington last beat Boston on Nov. 22, 2024 (96-108 loss, actually—wait, streak intact). In D.C., Boston’s 5-0 in last five visits.
| Date | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Nov. 5, 2025 | BOS Win | 136-107 | Brown: 35 PTS |
| Apr. 6, 2025 | BOS Win | 124-90 | White: 18 PTS, 5 STL |
| Dec. 15, 2024 | BOS Win | 112-98 | Pritchard: 22 PTS (6-9 3PT) |
| Nov. 22, 2024 | BOS Win | 108-96 | Brown: 28 PTS, 7 REB |
| Mar. 25, 2024 | BOS Win | 118-104 | Tatum: 30 PTS (pre-injury) |
Betting Trends
Celtics are 11-10 ATS (52.4%), covering 2-2 as 9+ favorites. Wizards are 6-14 ATS (30%), 6-9 as 9+ dogs. Overs hit 9/21 Celtics games (42.9%) but 12/20 Wizards (60%), with H2H averaging 231.4 points (Over in 7/10).
Trends: Celtics 6-5 ATS road; Wizards 2-6 ATS home, 3-11 as +300+ dogs.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 9.5
Washington Wizards 231.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025
