Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Boston, MA–
For the Wizards they came into today’s game against the Celtics with lots of promise behind the scoring of John Wall and Bradley Beal, but it was the three point shooting by the Celtics that came back to hurt the Wizards late in the game.
Bradley Beal led Washington with 27 points. John Wall added 20 points and 16 assists.
Washington was dealt a big blow in Game 1 when starter Markieff Morris played just 11 minutes before leaving with a sprained left ankle in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on Horford’s foot. This turned out to be a big difference in the game as Jason Smith and Marcin Gortat just could not counter the inside game of the Celtics.
“This is probably the worst sprain I have ever had,” said Morris after the game. Morris said that he will be ready for the game on Tuesday and he will be needed if they have a chance on the inside.
The biggest difference in the game today was Celtics All Star Isaiah Thomas, who played with heavy heart on his shoulders as he had to bury his sister Chyna in Washington yesterday. He decided to play this one for his sister rather than give up.
Thomas had 33 points and nine assists, and the Celtics made 19 3-pointers to beat the Wizards 123-111 and take a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup.
“I got in at 4 a.m.,” Thomas said of his second flight to Washington in two weeks. “It’s tough, but it’s the playoffs so there are no excuses. I decided to play and I just tried to give it all for my team.”
One of the most positive things that came out of the game today was the start for the Wizards. They Shot 10 of 23 from 3-point line and also shot 62 percent (16 for 26) in the first quarter and grabbed the first 12 rebounds of the game.
Game 2 is on Tuesday night in Boston at 8pm.
