Tuesday night's NBA play-in tournament matchup between the Celtics and Wizards features two teams that ended the regular season on much different notes.
Boston saw any hopes of a deep playoff run evaporate when Jaylen Brown underwent surgery on his left wrist during the final week of the 2020-21 campaign. The Celtics had already been stumbling down the final stretch even with Brown available, so it's difficult to imagine a path back to the Eastern Conference finals now that their All-Star forward is out until next season.
MORE: NBA play-in tournament, explained
Washington, meanwhile, surged into the play-in tournament by winning 15 of its last 20 games. The Wizards are led by the dynamic duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double for the fourth time in five seasons.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Wizards vs. Celtics, including the tipoff time and TV channel for Tuesday's game.
What channel is Celtics vs. Wizards on?
- Date: Tuesday, May 18
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Watch TNT
Wizards vs. Celtics will be broadcast live on TNT. You can also live-stream the game via Watch TNT or the Watch TNT app.
Celtics vs. Wizards start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 18
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET
The 9 p.m. ET tipoff marks the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Hornets vs. Pacers will be broadcast live on TNT at 6:30 p.m. ET.
NBA play-in tournament format
- The play-in tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2020-21 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the play-in tournament.
- Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the play-in tournament, the 2021 NBA playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
NBA play-in tournament schedule
May 18
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Pacers | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wizards vs. Celtics | 9 p.m. | TNT |
May 19
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Spurs vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Warriors vs. Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
May 20
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Loser | 8 p.m. | TNT |
May 21
| Game (play-in) | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser | TBD | ESPN |
