It would be the first game Brown has missed this season. The four-time All-Star has carried the scoring load admirably with Jayson Tatum sidelined, averaging a career-high 29 points per game. Brown had his third 40-point performance of the season in Tuesday’s win over New York.
Washington has continued to languish at the bottom of the standings, winning just three of its 20 games to start the season. Two of those wins have come in the Wizards’ last four, however, with home victories against the Bucks and Hawks.
Get Starting Point
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Boston. Here’s a preview.
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -9.5. O/U: 230.0.
CELTICS
Season record: 12-9. vs. spread: 11-10. Over/under: 9-12
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 4-6
WIZARDS
Season record: 3-17. vs. spread: 7-13. Over/under: 12-8
Last 10 games: 2-8. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 6-4
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 115.3, Washington 112.8
Points allowed per game: Boston 111.2, Washington 127.3
Field goal percentage: Boston .466, Washington .462
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .445, Washington .482
3-point percentage: Boston .355, Washington .368
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .369, Washington .383
Stat of the day: The Celtics have won nine straight games against the Wizards.
Notes: Brown has scored 30 or more points in four of his last five games, leading the Celtics to a 4-1 record in that stretch. He tossed in a season-high 42 points in the win over the Knicks. “He never wavers in the poise or the mindset that he has,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I thought he did a great job of taking what the defense gave him, but then also making plays for others.” … The Wizards lost 15 of their first 16 games this season, but they have a 2-2 record in their last four outings. They enter Thursday’s matchup at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. … Washington center Alex Sarr hasn’t played in the last two games (left adductor strain), but a report in the Washington Post said he could return for Thursday’s game. Sarr, the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, leads the team with averages of 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. The 7-footer had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks when Boston beat Washington earlier this season.
Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.
