Jaylen Brown scored 31 points to help the Celtics outlast the Wizards, 108-96, for a key NBA Cup victory. Read more on Boston.com.

Thanks to some favorable results, Boston is now very much in the mix to chase another title, even if it is slightly less prestigious than the one it claimed last June.

The Celtics only have one more NBA Cup game remaining in group play as they look to get to the knockout stages for the second straight year.

Jaylen Brown scored 31 points on Saturday, carrying the load for the Celtics offensively as Jayson Tatum struggled to find a rhythm.

While Jayson Tatum struggled from the field, Jaylen Brown came to the rescue with 31 points to lead Boston in Washington.

WASHINGTON — It did not come easy on Friday night but the Celtics managed to claw their way to a 108-96 win over the Wizards in NBA Cup pool play. It was the second straight win for Boston overall and improves the team to 2-1 in NBA Cup pool play.

Last Saturday, the Celtics barely scraped past one of the worst teams in the NBA, needing overtime to put away the two-win Toronto Raptors. They had similar trouble Friday against another Eastern Conference cellar dweller.

Jaylen Brown top-scored with 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics struggled to a 108-96 win at Washington in the NBA Cup on Friday.Naji Marshall top-scored for the Mavs,

The Celtics kept their NBA Cup hopes alive with Friday's win over the Wizards. Here's a closer look at where they stand in the group stage.

Jaylen Brown scored 31 points, and the Boston Celtics overcame an off night for Jayson Tatum to beat the Washington Wizards 108-96 in the NBA Cup on Friday night. The Celtics improved to 2-1 in East Group C of this competition with one game remaining.