Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
The Wizards got a much needed victory tonight over Golden State, but many say the game would have been different had Kevin Durant had to exit the game after hyper extending his knee just 1:2o into the game.
For the Wizards, losing a third straight game before heading on the road would not have been the start they would have wanted heading on the road to Toronto.
All five starters reached double figures, along with reserve Bojan Bogdanovic, and all had defining moments. Within the final minute of a tie game, John Wall threw his 19th assist, matching a career high, on a lob pass to Markieff Morris. Later, with three seconds remaining, Morris, who scored 22 points, sealed the win with two free throws.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 25 points, and Bogdanovic came off the bench for 16 points in 24 minutes.
With 2:46 left, Otto Porter claimed a 2-point lead off an incisive Bradley Beal pass to the corner 3 area. That was rebutted by a Klay Thompson drive past Gortat, with a pass for a Draymond Green corner 3 (Warriors lead by 1). Beal responded with a tough runner, through traffic, for a 1-point Wizards edge. The next play was an uncharacteristic one from Curry, wherein he eschewed a 3 over Gortat, who was switched onto him, and the possession ended in an Iguodala turnover. Beal continued his fine work by drawing on foul Shaun Livingston, making the score 106-103 Wizards.
The last time Durant played in Washington, he also left the game early. On Nov. 10, 2015, Durant, then with the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffered a hamstring injury against the Wizards and had to sit out the next six games.
