Moritz Wagner, Tacko Fall

Wizards center Moritz Wagner Celtics center Tacko Fall battle for a rebound during the second half Boston’s 116-107 win Friday night at TD Garden. Elise Amendola/Associated Press

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum scored 32 points, Jaylen Brown had 27 points and 13 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics held off Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards 116-107 Friday night for their fourth straight win.

Beal had 41 points and eight rebounds, a game after tying the franchise record with 60 points against the 76ers.

Tatum hit 14 of 27 shots to power the shorthanded Celtics, who were without Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and Robert Williams. The trio is sidelined in COVID-19 health and safety protocol for the next seven days.

“Our job’s not to make excuses for who’s not here,” Celtics Coach Brad Stevens said. “It’s to play as well as we can with who is and let the results take care of themselves.

Rui Hachimura had 17 points and Davis Bertans added 13 as the Wizards dropped to 2-7.

The Celtics were cruising early, outscoring the Wizards 33-19 in the second quarter. They increased a 19-point halftime lead to 28 in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Advertisement

The Wizards rallied from there, clawing to within 99-95 with 7:36 left.

Boston scored seven straight points to build a cushion. It was 106-101 when Marcus Smart led a fast break and found Brown for a corner 3-pointer with 2:08 remaining.

Wizards Coach Scott Brooks said he may have played Beal too many minutes down the stretch.

“It’s really on me. I tried to get him some extra minutes because we were right there,” Brooks said. “He’s been playing probably three minutes too many. It doesn’t sound like a lot. But it does add up.”

Russell Westbrook was in action just two days after dislocating a finger on his right hand late in Washington’s loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday night. He played with his right ring and pinkie fingers taped together, but finished with 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field.

Daniel Theis started at center for Boston and picked up two quick fouls, prompting Coach Brad Stevens to play 7-foot-5 Tacko Fall for just the second time this season. Fall made the most of the opportunity, coming up with a block at the rim on Westbrook in the first quarter. He also was the recipient of an alley-oop from Brown in the second quarter, and finished with four points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes.

Advertisement

“The coaches have been on me to just stay ready,” Fall said. “The game has slowed down a lot which has made my game a lot easier. … I know I belong, it’s just a matter of going out there and doing my job on a consistent basis.”

TIP-INS

Wizards: Despite playing the 76ers on Wednesday, a day before Philadelphia guard Seth Curry tested positive for the coronavirus, Coach Scott Brooks said they haven’t had any positive tests. … Westbrook was assessed a technical foul from the bench in the third quarter.

Celtics: Had a pregame moment of silence for former NBA player and coach Paul Westphal, then continued to take a knee for the national anthem. Westphal was a member of the Celtics’ 1973-74 championship team. … Guard Jeff Teague returned after missing two games because of a sprained left ankle. … Semi Ojeleye scored eight straight points in the opening three minutes of the third quarter.

Comments are not available on this story.