When you look at the schedule and see the Washington Wizards playing the Los Angeles Clippers, you don’t expect a packed arena and a playoff buzz but that’s what Capital One had on Saturday night.
Yes, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were in town, but the buzz was because of the return of a favorite son.
There’s no reason to rehash John Wall’s exit. We’ve done that time and time again. The horse has officially been beaten.
Wall’s welcome was warm and deserving but like a lot of marriages both parties were probably ready for a split, no matter how painful it was at the time.
As for the game, Washington was on the business end of a pack to pack coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers. The 121-111 loss was the fifth straight for Washington.
Maybe that’s why they couldn’t finish out quarters well in their 114-107 loss to the Clippers.
It was pretty much predictable that Washington get off to a hot start when you consider the energy in the building.
A 10-0 lead didn’t last long and, to be fair, it rarely does in the NBA.
By the end of the first quarter, it was a one point game as the Wizards struggled with the concept of ball movement.
The second quarter provided some moments that people wanted to see. John Wall on a breakaway was spoiled by a Kyle Kuzma foul but the crowd would get what they wanted on the next possession.
Wall sized up Corey Kispert faking right and then a hard dribble, step back that resulted in a mid-range swish prompting Wes Unseld Jr. to call timeout.
That gave Wall a chance to peacock around, pointing and gesturing to the fans that still love him no matter what uniform he’s wearing. Wall followed that up with a tasty dime that led to a Moses Brown dunk.
The Wizards still held a three-point halftime lead due to Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis’ strong play.
Washington started the second half like the first as they got off to a quick start on offense with Porzingis leading the way.
But the bench failed to capitalize on the momentum as the Clippers turned a 12-point third quarter deficit into a two-point lead by the end of the quarter.
In the fourth, the Clippers made sure they didn’t let Washington have the game they were so willing to let go of.
Paul George’s three-pointer with a little under 10 minutes left pushed LA’s lead to five.
Washington would make a run and take a 98-87 lead on a Kispert dunk with 5:03 left.
But like every quarter tonight, the Wizards couldn’t close out the endings. With game tied at 105, the Wizards would give up a layup to Leonard. Kuzma would tie it but Nicholas Batum would hit a three-pointer when Leonard kicked out of a double team.
Leonard then lived up to his reputation of being a first-class defender when he blocked Porzingis’ three-pointer.
That was followed by a flagrant foul by Deni Avdija and, for all intent and purposes, that was the end of the game.
Leaders:
Points
Washington Wizards – Kyle Kuzma 35
Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George 36
Assists
Washington Wizards – Deni Avdija and Jordan Goodwin 6
Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George and Kawhi Leonard 6
Rebounds
Washington Wizards – Kristaps Porzingis 15
Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard 8
