D.C.: Up, up and away

🏀Wizards: The Wizards couldn’t come back from their slow start yesterday, dropping a 111–110 heartbreaker to the Jaylen Brown-less Boston Celtics. Though Bradley Beal poured in 46 points and delivered on both ends of the floor, he lost his footing with 12 seconds remaining to give the Celtics possession and the win. That one will haunt him.

• The Wiz have somehow conjured up the saddest, longest, and most random streak in NBA history: losing 11 straight games where Beal scores over 40 points. Oh boy.

• They aim to get back on track tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET against the Memphis Grizzlies to try to keep climbing up the Eastern Conference standings.

🏒Capitals: Center Nicklas Bäckström is still one assist shy from hitting 700 career assists. Instead of dishing it out, he scored his 10th goal of the season yesterday, helping the East Division-leading Caps defeat the lowly New Jersey Devils 3–2.

• And even though he was shaky at times, it was great to see goaltender Ilya Samsonov back in net, receiving his first start since his bout with COVID-19. Welcome back.