Wizards Lead Folds, Hornets Get The Win
For the second time this week, the Washington Wizards would take on the Charlotte Hornets. This time the Wizards are at Capital One Arena for their first at home In-Season tournament game. In Wednesday’s contest, the Wizards would have an impressive outing from Kyle Kuzma and the bench was on fire. The defensive effort was also better showcasing Daniel Gafford most of the night.
The Wizards took off to a hot start early against the Hornets. However, the Hornets would make it clear they would not go away easily in this second match-up.
Click here for the summary of what happened in the first half of Wizards vs Hornets!
Despite the Hornets continuing to not go away, the Wizards have their fair share of theatrics to keep the crowd engaged in the game.
Jordan Poole with the moves that you thought you could only see in NBA2K.
Then there’s this behind the back assist from Deni Avdija to Poole…
Yet and still after all of that, the Hornets continued to keep the game within three points 75-72 at the 5:12 minute mark. About 45 seconds later the Wizards would lose the lead to the Hornets with a running layup from Hornets forward PJ Washington.
Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr knew he had to make a lineup change to include Delon Wright and Danilo Gallinari to help with the defensive effort. While this helped to get the Wizards back out in front, the lead would be temporary.
After a few lead changes, the Hornets would go back up with a three pointer by LaMelo Ball making the score 110-109, Hornets. The see saw scoring would continue along with a few bad shots from both teams.
There was an extreme defensive effort by Daniel Gafford which still wasn’t enough to stop the Hornets from increasing their lead by five. The Hornets wouldn’t let up and, in the end, it paid off for them. The Wizards could not hold and Charlotte maximized the moment to take the win.
Charlotte 124, Wizards 117
Charlotte would finish with 74 points in the paint and 30 second chance points. Washington on the other hand would have only 54 points in the paint and seven second chance points.
Wizards scoring leaders were Kyle Kuzma (17), Tyus Jones (16) and Corey Kispert (15).
For the Charlotte Hornets, Gordon Hayward would finish with 27. LaMelo Ball (25), and Mike Williams (19).
