Washington Wizards: 3 takeaways from the big win over Celtics

The Washington Wizards got a surprising victory over the Boston Celtics at home on Monday night, 99-94.

For just the second time all season, the Wizards have won back-to-back games. On Saturday night, it was the Denver Nuggets. And Monday, the Boston Celtics.

Neither win is more impressive than the other, but this team is proving it’s depth day by day.

Washington went with a nine-man rotation against a Celtics team that had twelve guys available. And honestly? It’s their defense that won them this matchup.

The Wizards registered 9 blocks and 8 steals against Boston, limiting the Celtics to just 94 points. Here are a few takeaways from yet another statement win for Washington.

Man on Fire

Just two days ago, Ish Smith‘s career-high in points was 28. In the Wizards’ last two games, he’s scored 59 collectively on 27-42 shooting from the field.

He ran through the Denver and Boston defenses like they were pieces of paper, putting together entire mixtapes worth of moves in just two games.

His 27 points against Boston earned him “MVP!” chants when he stepped up to the free-throw line late in the fourth quarter. Yes, we’re still talking about Ish Smith.

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His play as of late makes him a candidate for the starting point guard spot come Washington’s next game on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

Revenge, How Sweet It Is

Even though it’s been almost three years since Isaiah Thomas last suited up for the Celtics, he’ll always be liable for a ‘revenge game’ of sorts when he’s matched up against them.

Boston traded Thomas for Kyrie Irving back in 2017, following a 2016-2017 campaign that saw Thomas finish top-5 in the MVP standings.

His health has wavered back and forth every year since, and he’s played for four teams in the three seasons since.

But Thomas was looking more like his old self against his old team as he went off for 17 points in 23 minutes.

You can dub him a defensive liability all you want, but Thomas can still find the bottom of the net even on his worst nights.

Reinforcements, Soon?

While it was a fun win, the victory over Boston a reminder of just how thin this roster is.

Garrison Mathews is the latest Wizard to go down with an injury. He suffered a right ankle sprain just before halftime in the win over Boston. Unfortunately, Washington is already without Davis Bertans, Bradley Beal, Thomas Bryant, Moritz Wagner, John Wall, and CJ Miles. Mathews’ injury comes at a time when they can’t really afford to add anyone to the injury report.

As far as timetables, it’s been reported that Bertans could be back as soon as the weekend, and Beal will likely be ready for Wednesday night’s matchup with Orlando. So bodies are coming back.

In the meantime, Ish Smith will try and keep the ship afloat. Over the team’s last two games (both wins), Smith has played 65 minutes and poured in 59 points. As injuries pile up, he’s been the