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Wizards top Nets in shootout

Shane Connuck · January 3, 2021 · 9:41 pm ·

Down by one with 28.2 seconds left, Bradley Beal missed a long two-pointer. But after Thomas Bryant secured the offensive rebound, the Wizards worked the ball back to their center, who slammed in a go-ahead dunk.

The Nets drove down the court with 11 seconds left after electing not to advance the ball. Kyrie Irving tried a 3-pointer and couldn’t hit. Kevin Durant followed it up with an unsuccessful 12-foot pull up jumper.

Bryant grabbed the rebound and heaved the ball into the air in celebration as the final buzzer sounded. After the teams exchanged leads 21 times, the Washington Wizards came out on top, edging the Brooklyn Nets, 123-122.

“I prayed, and I got my answer,” Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said about the misses from the Nets’ stars.

Ten players — five from each side — scored in double-figures in tonight’s high-scoring affair. Beal led Washington (2-5) with 27 points — his lowest point total of the season.

Not only did Bryant provide the go-ahead points, but the Wizards’ center scored 21 points and led the team with 14 rebounds.

While his team shot just 41.3% from the field, it took 23 more shots than Brooklyn (3-4).

Irving led the Nets with 30 points and 10 assists — his fifth double-double of the season. Durant had 28 points on 15 shots, 7 assists and 11 rebounds, but also committed six of the Nets’ 20 turnovers.

Washington, which was coming off its first win of the season Friday against Minnesota, couldn’t take a lead of more than five points during a tightly-contested first quarter. Through the first 12 minutes, the game already featured eight of its 17 ties and five lead changes.

But it was a different story for the next 75 seconds, when the Wizards commenced the second quarter with an 11-0 run. Robin Lopez knocked down his second 3-pointer of the season. Washington didn’t look back for about six minutes, jumping out to a lead as large as 12.

However, the star-studded Nets didn’t go away. Irving scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half. Kevin Durant made 4-of-7 first-half field goals and grabbed seven rebounds. Joe Harris knocked down 5 of his 8 shots, and all three of those Nets were in double-figures already.

Bradley Beal had 20 points of his own, as well. But Brooklyn’s 43-41 advantage in the second quarter propelled it to a 71-70 lead as the teams headed to the locker room.

“That’s a team that’s ready for the championship,” Brooks said of the Nets.

Midway through the third quarter, Bradley Beal lobbed an alley-oop to Thomas Bryant, who jammed home a dunk as Washington continued an 8-0 run. But the Wizards again found themselves with a slim, one-point lead heading to the final quarter.

With just under five minutes to play, Irving dished a pass to Joe Harris. The Nets’ shooting guard connected from 3-point range to put Brooklyn back on top, 112-111.

Moments later, Irving drove to the rim and laid in his 30th points of the night, extending an 11-2 Nets run during the back half of the fourth quarter.

After Westbrook — who scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth — made a shot to give Washington a four-point lead, the Nets trimmed it to one. Irving delivered a hockey-style pass from the backcourt to Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot down low, who assisted another Harris 3-pointer.

In the final minute, the Wizards had a one-point lead and let the shot clock tick down to its last seconds. Luwawu-Cabarrot raised his hand to block a shot clock buzzer-beating attempt by Westbrook and dashed down the court. After Westbrook’s shot missed, Durant rebounded it and lobbed a pass down to Luwawu-Cabarrot, who laid in a go-ahead bucket before the Wizards would recapture and hold onto the lead.

Filed Under: Analysis, News

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Adrian Wojnarowski@wojespn

There's hope the Wizards -- with six healthy players now -- could practice again as soon as Wednesday, source tells ESPN. Although they've had seven positive tests among players, some could soon be cleared to play again. Wizards haven't played a game or practiced in a full week.

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BeccaMVPBecca Winkert@BeccaMVP·
15 Jan

Amber Nichols has been promoted to general manager of the Capital City Go-Go, becoming the second female general manager in G League history. Well done, Amber! #womeninsports

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BeccaMVPBecca Winkert@BeccaMVP·
15 Jan

Scott Brooks said that Russell Westbrook’s quad got hit once in practice in training camp and once during the sixers game. He feels much better and they will evaluate him hopefully early next week.

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BeccaMVPBecca Winkert@BeccaMVP·
15 Jan

Tommy Sheppard says that the Wizards will not be in town during the inauguration. He hopes it will be a peaceful day in DC.

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BeccaMVPBecca Winkert@BeccaMVP·
15 Jan

“No one misses being in the bubble.” -Tommy Sheppard

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