🆕 The trend is unmistakable. The Washington Wizards are playing much better. What changed? In interviews with @theathletic.com, the Wizards cited a players-only meeting in mid-November as an important contributing factor. Story with details here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

The Magic's lineups of second- and third-unit players cut their deficit from 26 points to four points with 6:09 remaining in the fourth. I asked coach Jamahl Mosley why he didn't put his starters back in the game? His answer:

Final: Wizards 120, Magic 112 McCollum: 27 pts., 6 rebs., 5 assts. Sarr: 23 pts., 8 rebs., 4 blocks Richardson: 20 pts., 3 rebs., 2 assts. Wizards: End 11-game losing streak to Magic

This game suddenly has become competitive again. Led by its second- and third-string players, Orlando has cut Washington's lead to 103-96 with 10:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. Washington had built an 89-63 lead.

The Wizards have extended their lead over the Magic to 89-63 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter. Washington has dominated this third quarter, and Orlando has 17 turnovers that have led to 29 Washington points.

With four assists already tonight, with 4:15 remaining in the second quarter, Tre Johnson already has tied his career-high assist total.

Early in this game, Alex Sarr had an out-of-area offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer by CJ McCollum. That's the kind of energy play/hustle play that Sarr did not make last season, and it reflects his growth. Seconds after his rebound, he drew a foul on Paolo Banchero.

Bilal Coulibaly has been assigned the defensive matchup against Paolo Banchero, and Coulibaly has fared well so far. Banchero hasn't taken a shot in the game's first 5:30, and Coulibaly opened the scored by poking the ball away from Banchero and scoring on the subsequent fast break.

Former Wizards players Tyus Jones and Moe Wagner are taking some shots now on their former home court. Wagner remains out as he continues to work his way back from his Dec. 2024 ACL tear. But both he and his brother, Franz Wagner, had one-hour individual workouts here today.

Early pregame shooting routines are underway here in Washington prior to tonight's Magic-Wizards matchup. Jett Howard, Tristan da Silva, CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton are doing their work now.

🆕 How would Trae Young fit on the Washington Wizards? Story, with analysis at @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Last night, countrymen Rudy Gobert and Alex Sarr played against each other for first time since Sarr's rookie season. Gobert and the Wolves dominated Sarr and the Wizards, but Gobert has been impressed by Sarr's improvement. Story at @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Final: Timberwolves 141, Wizards 115.

At halftime, the Wizards trail the Wolves, 73-58. Minnesota has put in a professional, solid effort on the second night of its back-to-back following last night's victory in Miami.

The Wizards trail the Wolves 38-28 at the end of the first quarter. Not enough stops, obviously, for the Wizards, but the real backbreakers have been the six second-chance points the Wolves have scored. Anthony Edwards has scored a game-high 16 points already.

Playmaking is not something often mentioned with Tre Johnson, but the rookie just hit Alex Sarr as Sarr trailed in transition, leading to a wide-open three for Sarr. Sarr made the shot, closing the Wizards' deficit to 23-21. A nice play by Johnson. Nothing fancy. Just good sense.

Kyshawn George, who tonight will miss his fifth consecutive game because of a hip flexor strain, is doing some on-court work, Brian Keefe said. Keefe would not provide a timeline on when the team expects George to return to play.

If the Washington Wizards defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight, the Wizards will have won five games over a six-game stretch. That would be their best six-game stretch in nearly three full years. Washington won six consecutive games from Jan. 18, 2023 through Jan. 30, 2023.

Kyshawn George (left hip flexor strain) and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder blood clot) remain out for Sunday's home game against the Timberwolves. Tristan Vukcevic (illness) has been listed as questionable to play.

Final: Wizards 119, Nets 99. Washington now has won for the fourth time in its last five games and for the sixth time in its last 10 games.

Alex Sarr's night so far, with 3:32 remaining in the game: 19 points 5 rebounds 4 assists 4 blocks

The Wizards appear well on their way toward winning for the fourth time in five games (and the sixth time in 10 games). They lead the shorthanded Nets 96-73 at the end of the third quarter.

That first half felt like one of the Wizards' easiest first halves of the season. They'll carry a 64-50 lead into the third quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, the Wizard lead the Nets 37-24. Eight of the 10 Wizards players who've entered the game have scored already, led by CJ McCollum (10 points).

Benefitting from their fast pace on offense and three Brooklyn turnovers, the Wizards' offense has been elite early in this game, averaging 147.8 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. That would be the 99th percentile relative to all NBA games this season.

Kyhsawn George will miss his fourth consecutive game Friday, when the Wizards host the Nets, because of a strained left hip flexor, according to the team's injury report. Corey Kispert (strained left hamstring) and Cam Whitmore (blood clot in right shoulder) also remain out.

With their victory tonight in Milwaukee, the Washington Wizards have won five of their last nine games. The Wizards now have an 8-24 record.

Bub Carrington has hit three-pointers on three consecutive Washington possessions, and Washington now leads Milwaukee 99-91 with 9:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Carrington's growth as a three-point shooter has been one of the Wizards' biggest storylines recently.

The Wizards are shooting 13 of 21 from three-point range tonight, led by Tre Johnson (4 of 4) and CJ McCollum (3 of 4). Washington leads Milwaukee 75-68 with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wizards have lost to the Suns 115-101. Rookie Tre Johnson scored a career-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Phoenix’s margin stemmed from its stellar 3-point shooting (17 of 40) and its 26 second-chance points.

The Phoenix Suns started tonight with the NBA's fifth-best offensive rebounding percentage this season, and they are dominating their offensive board tonight against the Washington Wizards. Through three quarters, Phoenix has 19 offensive boards and 26 second-chance points.

Tre Johnson (hip) and Alex Sarr (adductor) remain on minutes restrictions following their relatively recent injury absences, Brian Keefe confirmed.

Kyshawn George (left hip flexor strain), Corey Kispert (left hamstring strain), Khris Middleton (second night of a back-to-back) and Cam Whitmore (DVT in right shoulder) are listed as OUT for the Wizards' game tonight against the Phoenix Suns at Capital One Arena.

The Wizards have won consecutive games for the first time this season and for the first time since they defeated the Pistons in Detroit on March 13, 2025, and defeated the Nuggets in Denver on March 15, 2025.

The Wizards have won for the fourth time in their last seven games, defeating the Grizzlies 116-112. Alex Sarr finished with 20 points, 9 boards and 6 blocks. Tre Johnson added 14 points and 4 assists. Justin Champagnie had 10 points and 12 boards. Bub Carrington: 12 pts., 4 rebs., 7 assts.

One of the biggest takeaways from tonight's Grizzlies-Wizards game is that Tre Johnson is beginning to find where he can generate his offense other than from three-point range. Learning where to get shots is a process for most rookies, and it seems he's making progress.

Wizards Stat of the Day (so far): Bub Carrington is shooting 43.2% on three-pointers, which ranks in the 90th percentile among NBA point guards, according to Cleaning the Glass, and 17th among all qualifying players regardless of their position.

The Wizards have won for the third time in their last six games, defeating the Raptors 138-117. Kyshawn George led the Wizards with a team-best 23 points, and Bilal Coulibaly and CJ McCollum added 21 points apiece. Bub Carrington went 4 of 7 from three-point range with four assists.

The Wizards have been good in transition tonight, but they've been excellent in the halfcourt, averaging 119 points per 100 possessions there tonight, according to Cleaning the Glass. Toronto entered tonight with the NBA's fourth best defensive rating.

The Wizards lead the Raptors 131-111 with 3:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wizards' high point total for any game this season is 135, set on Nov. 10 in their 137-135 overtime loss in Detroit.

Bub Carrington is shooting 3 of 6 from three-point range tonight, improving his percentage for the season to 42.7 percent. A significant improvement.

That was a nice first half for the Wizards, including a pair of strong defensive plays during the final 1:20 of the second quarter by Alex Sarr. On both occasions, Sarr prevented Scottie Barnes from scores at the rim. Washington leads Toronto 73-62.

The 73-point first half is Washington's third-highest point total for any half this season. They scored 77 points in a half twice before, both times in wins (against Atlanta on Nov. 25 and at Memphis on Dec. 20).

(1/2) Tonight's Magic-Trail Blazers game was an unusual one for Paolo Banchero. In 36 minutes, he took only eight shots and only four free throws. He had three assists, and it seemed like he had lots of unconverted potential assists.

Deni Avdija features prominently in the Portland Trail Blazers' pregame hype video before the player introductions.

🆕 Cam Whitmore will be out indefinitely because of a blood clot. Story, with background from @davidaldridgedc.bsky.social, Jordy Fee-Platt and me, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

🆕 This was supposed to be the season when the Magic and Paolo Banchero improved hand in hand. That hasn't happened yet. For The Athletic, a look at their season, and Banchero's response to the notion that the team is better when he and Franz Wagner play separately: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

(1/2) Lots of absences for the Wizards at home tonight against the Spurs: • Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton, Corey Kispert & Cam Whitmore are OUT. • Marvin Bagley III (left calf soreness) & Jamir Watkins (illness) are QUESTIONABLE. • AJ Johnson and Sharife Cooper are with the Go-Go.

The Wizards, who trailed by 20 points late in the second quarter, have rallied to defeat the Grizzlies in Memphis, 130-122. Kyshawn George and CJ McCollum scored 28 points apiece.

Some changes to the Wizards' injury report for tonight in Memphis: • Bilal Coulibaly is now out because of a left ankle sprain. • Jamir Watkins (illness) and Cam Whitmore (sore right shoulder) are questionable to play. • Khris Middleton and Malaki Branham are now available to play.