Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
If the Wizards are trying to make a push to stay high in the playoff seeds, they need to stop slipping to teams that just aren’t as good as they are on any given night. Tonight it was the Nuggets that came to town looking to make it into the playoffs and they played like a playoff bound team as well.
It was all about Will Barton who seems to own the Wizards from the field.
“We’re in must-win mode every game,” said Barton, who was 5 of 7 from 3-point range. “Everyone wants to try to do their part to make sure we get a win.”
Bradley Beal stepped up tonight as he has done all season long with 24 points tonight, but he lacked the help to get it done as he has in previous games.
“We have to play with more urgency,” coach Scott Brooks said. “We can’t just go out there like it’s just another game. … These are moments where we need to take advantage because it’s playoff implications on every game.”
At halftime, Phil Chenier became the fifth player in Wizards/Bullets history to have his number retired as his 45 was unveiled in the rafters along with a 33 and microphone to commemorate his time as a broadcaster. Chenier is the third player from the 1978 NBA championship team to have his number retired, joining Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes, though back surgery prevented him from taking part in that playoff run.
The Wizards host the Knicks on Sunday and could clinch their second consecutive playoff berth.
