The Washington Wizards entered Tuesday’s play-in game red hot going against the Boston Celtics. Washington had won 17 of their last 23 games to climb to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
They did so riding the Russell Westbrook train. Westbrook triple-doubled his way into the NBA record books and the Wizards into playoff contention.
After a string of some of his best basketball in recent years, there was a lot of confidence going into Boston on Tuesday. However, Westbrook and the Wizards fell flat, particularly in the second half in route to a 118-100 loss to the Celtics.
While Jayson Tatum was dropping 50 points for Boston, Westbrook essentially limped through 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Typical good numbers for many players however, not for a man who averaged a triple-double for the season. Not for the man who carried the Wizards on his back and ripped off 38 triple-doubles in 65 games this season.
Westbrook’s shooting struggles of the past reappeared, as he shot 6-of-18 from the field, including 0-of-4 from three. That’s just 33%. He also committed five fouls and four turnovers.
Granted Westbrook wasn’t the reason the Wizards lost. In fact, he isn’t to blame for the loss in a list of factors that ultimately led to the Wizards’ downfall in Boston. Everyone was missing shots. Davis Bertans is still missing with his image on a milk carton throughout Boston.
Bradley Beal has a bummed hamstring and it was obvious. Still, Westbrook wasn’t himself. He was clearly frustrated with the foul issues, his shot not falling and his teammates’ shots not falling.
It was an off night for the 2017 NBA MVP. In the play-in game against the Celtics, it was the worst possible time for him to cool off and have a so-so, even bad game.
Fortunately for Westbrook and the Wizards, their season didn’t end in Boston. They’ll get another shot at making the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, who beat the Charlotte Hornets in the 9-10 seed game on Thursday night in D.C. Hopefully, it won’t just be a reprieve and the Wizards bounce back into the victory circle and claim the 8-seed.
