Will Jayson Tatum Play Tonight? Boston Celtics vs Washington Wizards: Preview, Injury Updates, and Prediction

The Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards play each other on Sunday for the second time in the regular season. The Celtics began the 2020-21 season on a bright note, but let their fortunes slip by losing a string of games recently. It has been a contrasting tale for the Wizards, a team that has been posting much-needed wins, one after the other.

Venue: TD Garden

Time: 7:00 PM ET (February 28, 2021) 

The Celtics and the Wizards are two Eastern Conference teams who were destined to make it to the playoffs at the start of the season. However, after more than 30 games played, it looks like both teams need to step up their games in the second half of the season to keep postseason hopes alive. 

Boston Celtics vs Washington Wizards: Injury Updates and Lineup

Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been largely inconsistent this season. The team has two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who are averaging 25 points a night, but the supporting cast has not been ideal in helping the team thrive. 

Kemba Walker has been effective since returning from injury but has been under a minutes restriction for several games. The Celtics aren’t playing committed basketball, which is hurting them largely. 

The team will be without Marcus Smart and Romeo Langford for the Wizards game, and on top of that, Jaylen Brown (knee soreness) is now listed as questionable. 

Possible Lineup

Kemba Walker (G) 

Jaylen Brown (G)

Jayson Tatum (F) 

Daniel Theis (F) 

Tristan Thompson (C) 

Wizards

The Wizards frankly look like a different team from how they began the season. Washington has got back on a winning track and they’re currently ranked 12th in the East. Bradley Beal’s efforts are finally paying off and Russell Westbrook looks rejuvenated too. 

Washington currently has two players sidelined due to major injuries who will miss the Celtics game as a result. Furthermore, 28-year-old Raul Neto, who sustained a bruised knee in the previous game against the Timberwolves, is questionable for Sunday’s game. 

Possible Lineup 

Russell Westbrook (G) 

Bradley Beal (G) 

Garrison Mathews (F) 

Rui Hachimura (F) 

Moritz Wagner (C) 

Prediction

Celtics vs Wizards will be an exciting clash to watch for neutral fans. It will be a game between two teams who’re desperately trying to get their season back on track. Hence, either franchise would be going for the killer blow in this one. 

This might be an unpopular opinion, but we’re predicting that the Washington Wizards will win this one. Westbrook is perfectly complementing the scoring machine Bradley Beal by bringing home the rebounds and assists. 

Kemba Walker is back, but if the Celtics fall short on their defensive tactics, there is no stopping the Wizards from recording their 14th win of the season! 

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