Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Just a few hours before the start of the tonight’s game against Oklahoma City, the Wizards were delivered a bit of bad news that they would be 6-8 weeks without their star John Wall as he would need to undergo surgery on his knee. This didn’t stop the Wizards, it may just kept them going right to the end tonight.
The biggest difference for the Wizards tonight was the defensive play by Tomas Satoransky, but perhaps got his biggest two of the night from the line in the final minute when he hit the shots that would put the Thunder out of reach.
What was the big difference for the Thunder tonight? They hit on just 38 percent from the field and Russell Westbrook was sort of missing from their offensive scoring model.
Westbrook hit only 5 of 18 attempts and wound up with 10 assists, six rebounds and seven turnovers, then said he would “take ownership” for his team’s loss.
Paul George had 20 points at halftime and finished with 28 for Oklahoma City, taking zero shots in the fourth quarter, something Westbrook defined this way: “That’s my bad.” Anthony scored 19, but he missed three shots in the final 30 seconds.
For the Wizards they have to decide what the needs will be in the absence of Wall. Do they keep what they have and limp into the playoffs, or do they go for something that will help them for the remainder of the season and then some?
