Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
After tonight, it’s hard to look back at this season and try and figure out why the Wizards have won just 5 games this season. Without Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma in the line-up, they arguably played one of the best games of the season forcing a 21-win Knick team into overtime, only to fall short to the Knicks and Jalen Brunson’s 55-point effort.
Washington who was in command for most of the game let the Knicks and Brunson creep back late in the fourth quarter as many teams have done this season.
Brunson, who scored 42 points after halftime, had two jump shots and hit five free throws in overtime.
Washington, without injured leading scoring Jordan Poole, were led by Justin Champagnie’s 31 points and 10 rebounds on an impressive 13-for-15 from the field and 5-for-6 from 3-point range. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, giving him his second NBA double-double.
After the game Champagne was asked about what he turned on late in the game and what made his performance so special tonight.
“I just go out there and do as much as I can without trying to do too much,” said Champagne. “You never want to try and get ahead of yourself as it forces you to make mistakes. I think that every day I am feeling confident out here on the court and my shot comes with it.”
Champagnie had played in just two Wizards games heading into December, but has played in the past 10 games and started the last nine games. The difference showed tonight.
The Wizards put themselves in a bad spot when they let Brunson loose in the final seconds where he converted a three-point play with 57 seconds left and made a floater with 11.1 seconds left to tie the game at 119 and force overtime.
“This one was a tough one for us,” said Josh Hart, who finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes. “We were playing the second night of a back-to-back. I felt a little old today.
Washington has a shot at redemption as the host the Knicks again on Monday night.
