Wizards pick up rare win as Hornets' struggles continue

Field Level Media|published: Thu 19th December, 22:22 2024

Dec 19, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) and Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) defend in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points in his return as the Washington Wizards downed the Charlotte Hornets 123-114 on Thursday night.

Brogdon, who came off the bench and also had six assists in 27 minutes, had missed the last four games with a strained hamstring.

It was just the Wizards' second win in their last 21 games, and it featured a big performance from their young stars, including No. 1 overall pick Alex Sarr, who drained a pair of clutch threes in the final 3 1/2 minutes and finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.

Jordan Poole led Washington with 27. Bilal Coulibaly had 14 points, including an incredible fourth-quarter dunk.

LaMelo Ball finished with 34 points and 13 assists to lead the Hornets, but shot only 11-for-32 from the floor. Charlotte, which got 16 points and eight rebounds apiece from Miles Bridges and Mark Williams, has lost 11 of its last 12.

Neither team was able to carve much of an advantage in the first half, which ended with the Wizards leading 60-58.

The Hornets made a big move in the final minutes of the third quarter with a pair of dunks by Nick Richards and a three by Tidjane Salaun to take their biggest lead at 86-79.

The Wizards responded by scoring the final eight points of the quarter, all by Corey Kispert (13 points), to regain the lead.

Washington never trailed in the fourth, getting back-to-back threes by Poole to go up 101-94 with 5:59 left. With the hosts up by seven a minute later, Poole fed a high pass to Coulibaly, who with his 7-foot-3 wingspan was able to control and slam down with his right hand in an impressive athletic display.

Charlotte drew within seven in the final minute, but Poole sealed it with a pair of free throws.

Poole sank a 3-pointer for the Wizards' first basket and tied a franchise record with Gilbert Arenas with his 53rd straight game with a made three.

The crowd included NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who had attended a press conference earlier in the day announcing a major renovation plan for Capital One Arena to be completed over the next three summers.

--Field Level Media

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