Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
It would be nice to say that we have not seen this story any time this season… wizards get close… but can’t battle back from 20+ points in the end. Yea, it happened again. Finding themselves down by over 20 points for most of the entire game the Wizards made late run in the fourth quarter but could not get it done down the stretch and lose another game at home 124-113.
Bub Carrington led the way for the Wizards with 21 points. Tre Johnson scored 19 points and Tristan Vukcevic had 18 for Washington. They had to do without the services of Alex Sarr and Khris Middleton, who were rested by Brian Keefe after both played in Memphis. Both Sarr and Middleton have been out injured and were told to us that both players were being ramped up to be back in the line-up each night. They clearly need Sarr and Middleton active if they want to win more than five games this season.
One of the best chances the Wizards had going into tonight was that Victor Wembanyama would be limited on minutes as the Spurs ease him back into the line-up. Wembanyama finished 14 points and 12 rebounds in under 22 minutes as he continued his bench role for San Antonio since his return from a calf strain.
The Spurs made much of their final run behind De’Aaron Fox led with 27 points and Luke Kornet added 20 points.
Washington made one final run with just over 3 minutes remaining, never got closer than nine afterward, allowing Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to sit Wembanyama for all but 40 seconds of the fourth quarter.
The Wizards’ next game is on Tuesday when they go on the road to play the Charlotte Hornets. This is a team that they have seen already this season back on October 26th. In that game, the Wizards, struggled on defense giving up 139 points. This was also beginning of start of the 13-game losing streak.
