Don’t look any further. Since the post-trade deadline, the Washington Wizards have gained some traction behind Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton, and three budding rookies. On Saturday, the Wizards emphatically completed their two-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets.
After trading buckets on four straight possessions, Poole drained the go-ahead three from 35 feet out with 2.1 seconds remaining off an inbound pass as the Wizards defeated the Nuggets 126-123 in Denver.
Washington has won four of its last six games and is 6-4 in their previous ten.
Alex Sarr stood tall against Nikola Jokic in final moments
No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr went toe-to-toe with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic had 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. Sarr countered with 34 points on 12-of-28 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three, six rebounds and five assists.
Sarr has come a long way from the overreaction of his Summer League play. He second among rookies with 12.3 points per game; fourth with 6.7 rebounds; and sixth with 2.3 assists.
Jokic’s final bucket gave the Nuggets a 116-113 with 2:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Sarr answered with a three to tie the game. Sarr made free throws to give Washington a 118-116.
Michael Porter Jr. answered on the ensuing Nuggets’ possession with a three off a Jokic assist. Poole got the Wizards back on top with a floater with 44.1 seconds left. Former Wizards guard Russell Westbrook got Denver back in the lead with a layup before rookie Kyshawn George answered with a three to give Washington a 123-121 lead with ten seconds on the clock.
Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray tied the game at 123-123 with a step-back jumper. Then, following a timeout, the Wizards dialed up Poole, who wasted no time firing the deep three just ahead of the Nuggets logo. Poole immediately went into his drowning celebration, stunning the Ball Arena crowd.
Wizards young core adding building blocks
All five Wizards’ starters finished in double-digit scoring. Jordan Poole finished with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three and six assists. Kyshawn George added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. George also made 4-of-8 treys. Middleton had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. Justin Champagnie added 16 points and matched Jokic with 13 rebounds.
Washington’s third first-round pick, Bub Carrington, had nine points, seven assists, and four rebounds off the bench. Rookie AJ Johnson, who the Wizards acquired in the Middleton trade, had nine points and four assists.
Washington defeated Denver on Dec. 7, 122-113. At the time, the Wizards had a record of 3- 18. While the Wizards are still rebuilding with a 15-51 record, the team has won six games over ten. The Wizards no longer have the worst record in the NBA. They’re one-half game better than the 15-52 Utah Jazz.
The worst three records will have the same odds of 14.0% for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA lottery. Washington is building toward a winning culture while developing its four rookies and 2023 first-round Bilal Coulibaly. Finishing the season strong on a good note may be more important than landing Cooper Flagg in 2025.
Seeing the young core thrive with Poole and Middleton, two NBA champions, increases hope for Washington’s future. Sweeping Jokic and the Nuggets is a huge building block.
