Jordan Poole’s clutch three-pointer with just 8.1 seconds left gave the Washington Wizards a thrilling 113-110 victory over Charlotte last night, lifting them out of the NBA’s basement for the first time this season.
It’s been a tough year for the Wizards, who started with a brutal 16-game losing streak. But they’re finally showing signs of life, going 3-5 in recent weeks and climbing past New Orleans with their 5-23 record.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve been the man for the moment, and I make big shots all the time,” said Poole, who finished with 25 points. “Credit to the coaching staff for putting the ball in my hands, and shout-out to my teammates for finding me as well.”
What’s really interesting is how the Wizards are rebuilding around youth. Three rookies – Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington and Alex Sarr – are each playing more than 25 minutes a game. Sarr had an impressive night with 25 points and three blocks.
Poole, just 25 himself, has become the veteran voice on this young squad.
“We’re learning, we’re trying to get up a lot of 3s,” he explained. “But coach keeps telling us to rely on our defense. We’re such a young team right now that we’re still trying to find our identity on offense.”
The win wasn’t pretty – Washington only scored 17 points in the fourth quarter. But first-year coach Brian Keefe loved his team’s fight.
“We got gritty defensively,” Keefe said. “You can win sometimes when you don’t shoot the ball well. Great effort by our guys.”
On the Charlotte side, LaMelo Ball put up impressive numbers in the loss. He scored 31 points on 12-of-27 shooting and added six assists in 38 minutes.
Miles Bridges had a monster game too, with 22 points, a season-high 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. But he couldn’t stop Poole’s game-winner.
“To me, it’s like a tale of two halves,” Charlotte coach Charles Lee said after the game. “First half, you give up two 34-point quarters and dig yourself a hole.”
“We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now,” Lee added. “This group is aiming together, they’re competing harder, they’re learning how to get through.”
The Wizards are still near the bottom of the standings, but for the first time this season, they can look up and see another team below them. For a young squad learning to win, that’s progress worth celebrating.
