Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
Based on the finish between the Wizards and Jazz, if you didn’t look at the NBA standings, it would be tough to believe that both of these teams were at the bottom and quite possibly battling for the same thing.. Draft lottery.
Utah started the game with this as the headline Lauri Markkanen (back), John Collins (back), Walker Kessler (rest), Collin Sexton (ankle), Keyonte George (illness), and Jordan Clarkson (foot) out… Yea, that’s not the best way to win games in the NBA and the Wizards have been there quite a few times this season and the Wizards were without Jordan Poole, who perhaps could have been the difference in the game that would have not let it go down to the final possession.
Johnny Juzang kept the game interesting for Utah, hitting a three pointer with under 1:00 set up the final chance for Utah to tie the game after a missed free throw by Bub Carrington.
Juzang would finish the game with 27 points, Kyle Filipowski added 23 points and 13 rebounds in 28 minutes, Isaiah Collier added 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes, while Cody Williams added 12 points and three rebounds in a team-high 33 minutes.
The Wizards continue to get big minutes from their young guys and that was evident tonight by another solid performance by Alex Sarr and Keyshawn George. Sarr Finished with 21 points and George with 23 points and 9 rebounds.
After the game Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe was asked about the tight finish and how these young guys find ways to keep the team close enough to close out.. something they have missed quite a few times tonight.
” I think all of these guys stepped up tonight with Jordan out and Alex and Keyshawn have done a great job of doing everything we ask of them, said Keefe.
The Wizards big numbers came from shooting 44 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three while handing out 32 assists to nine rebounds.
