Playing without three starters, the Celtics lose to the Washington Wizards, 125-124, Wednesday night.
BOSTON – The last thing they needed on Wednesday night was a game that lasted more than the normal 48 minutes.
With only 10 available players – including five rookies – and with three starters and two key reserves unavailable, the Celtics found themselves in a difficult spot.
So what happens?
The Celtics played not one, but two overtime periods against the Washington Wizards in a game that lasted nearly three hours.
And the shorthanded Celtics had chances to win at the end of regulation and both the first and second OT sessions, but were unable to close out the Wizards.
The Celtics with their makeshift lineup fell just short, 125-124, in their first double-overtime game since Dec. 11, 2015, when they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
With rookie Guerschon Yabusele making his first NBA start and Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis all out, the Celtics had to piece together units with nine players (Kadeem Allen was a DNP). And they nearly pulled out a win.
“Nothing new,’’ said coach Brad Stevens. “We’ve been that way all year. We’ve been really good in those games Kyrie didn’t play in the middle of January and we only had one point guard. We found a way and we battled.
“I just told them in (the locker room) I’m not taking anything away from us, but as coaches, we don’t care whose available, you go out there and put your best foot forward and expect to win, expect to figure it out. Obviously didn’t do that tonight.’’
Marcus Morris had a season-high 31 points with nine rebounds to pick up the offensive slack while Terry Rozier (21), Jayson Tatum (19) and Greg Monroe (16 points, 10 rebounds) were also effective.
The Celtics looked like they were going to win in regulation as Shane Larkin hit two free throws to make it 106-103 in the closing seconds.
But Otto Porter Jr. drove the lane and found a wide open Jodie Meeks in the corner near the Celtics’ bench, and he hit a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left. Morris left Meeks and went to defend on Porter, a costly mistake.
“Just one of those plays I know Marcus would like to have back at the end of the day,’’ said Stevens. “When we came out of the timeout we wanted to be five guys around the 3-point line. You don’t want to give them an easy entry layup, but I think we did a pretty good job initially and then should have just let Porter lay it in.
“Marcus Morris was one of the main reasons why we were there and it happens. We wouldn’t have been there without him.’’
At the end of the first overtime, Tatum drove for a tying basket and was fouled with 3.1 seconds left, but he missed the free throw, sending the game into a second OT at 115-115.
“Missed shots don’t bother me at all,’’ said Stevens. “That’s just part of the game. He made a great play taking it to the basket (at the end of the first OT). I thought he did a lot of great things tonight.
“There’s no question Jayson Tatum at the foul line is something we all want.’’
Then, after the Wizards opened a six-point lead with 1:25 left in that session, Monroe scored on a layup and Rozier hit a 3-pointer to make it 125-124.
The Celtics got the ball back after a turnover, but Tatum’s 3-pointer missed just before the buzzer.
The Celtics held a 20-point lead during the first half before it was trimmed to seven by the break. Bradley Beal (34 points, nine assists) led the way for the Wizards.
Morris, playing against twin brother Markieff, had his best offensive game with the Celtics.
“I thought that tonight Marcus would probably have to go close to 35-40 for us to win because of the way we were going to try to play,’’ said Stevens. “We were going to go to him a lot in a lot of different scenarios. He’s playing at a good level.’’