© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Svi and Pritchard Propel Celtics Past Wizards to Cap Mike Gorman Day
With the Celtics' top six inactive, rookie wing Jordan Walsh got his first career start in Boston's regular-season finale vs. the Wizards. Consider it a tune-up for Monday's decisive Game 3 of the G League Finals between Maine and the Oklahoma City Blue.
When Sunday's tilt got underway, Svi Mykhailiuk immediately made his presence felt, burying a three, utilizing an effective pass-fake to score off the drive, swooping in for an offensive rebound, and throwing down a two-handed jam on an alley-oop. He did all of that before the seven-minute mark in the opening frame.
The sharpshooter from Ukraine entered halftime with 15 points, drilling 6/7 attempts from the field, including three of the four threes he hoisted.
Payton Pritchard paced all participants with 22 points at the break. The former Oregon Duck carried the scoring load by himself on a 14-4 run that helped Boston claim a 69-59 lead after the first 24 minutes of play.
There was a concerning first-half moment where Xavier Tillman Sr. got fouled while finishing a layup at the end of the opening quarter and then came up hobbling. He subbed out before the period closed and went to the locker room. He later returned to the bench, using a band to stretch his right ankle.
But even without Tillman in the lineup for the already shorthanded hosts, the Celtics broke the game open in the third frame.
They outscored the Wizards 38-30 in the first 12 minutes after halftime. Sam Hauser produced 13 points, the most in the period, including two on a euro-step that Oshae Brissett was eager to re-enact after the ensuing Washington timeout.
Pritchard chipped in ten points, giving him 32 in 36 minutes, surpassing the career-high he established on Friday when he scored 31 in a 131-98 win vs. the Hornets.
Their production led the C's to a 107-89 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Boston held the visitors at bay in the final frame, maintaining a double-digit lead en route to a 132-122 victory in their regular-season finale.
Pritchard finished with 38 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds. Queta also established a new personal best, with 19 points, pairing it with nine rebounds. Mykhailiuk matched his with 26 points in the win.
The Celtics, who had already secured the NBA's best record this regular season and home-court advantage for the duration of their playoff run, finished their 82-game campaign 64-18.
Further Reading
After Career Night, Reflective Payton Pritchard Discusses NBA Journey and His Ultimate Pursuit
'Nip That in the Bud': Celtics Address End-of-Season Struggles
Jrue Holiday on Celtics Extension: 'Try to Get More Banners, Get More Rings'
Aiming to Maximize Championship Window, Celtics Extend Jrue Holiday
Jaylen Brown Shares What Latest Milestone Means to Him
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
