Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff On Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole

Coach Bickerstaff complimented Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole after the Cavaliers were able to win a competitive match-up with the Wizards

With Jordan Poole’s newfound role coming off the bench, the Wizards found themselves in a competitive matchup in front of their home crowd Sunday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards had three key players, Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, and Bilal Coulibaly out but were still able to put up some gutsy play for the game duration.

Below is a quote from Cavaliers Head Coach JB Bickerstaff during his postgame press conference on the Wizards and specifically Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole’s play last night.

“Looking at our opponent, not giving them the due respect. They got players obviously in Kuzma and Jordan Poole who are capable of carrying teams. If you allow them to get a rhythm early, they’re going to put you in a dog fight and I think they did that tonight. Kuz was fabulous and we allowed him to get to his spot. Didn’t execute our game plan, personnel coverage. And obviously Jordan Poole got it going too.”.

Leading game highlights include:

Wizards guard Jordan Poole scored a season-high 31 points (11-21 FG, 6-13 3PT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal. Tonight, marks Poole’s sixth career game with at least 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a single game and is his first-such game as a member of the Wizards (last; 12/30/22 vs. POR). And he has now topped 20+ points in 16 total games this season, including in back-to-back games.

Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma scored 27 points (10-24 FG), seven rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in a season-high 39 minutes of action. Kuzma has now scored 20+ points in five of his last seven outings.

Washington guard Landry Shamet notched his second-straight start (due to Avdija’s injury), tying a season-high 15 points (3-8 3PT) while adding five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Wizards guard Tyus jones dished out a team-high 10 assists and has now compiled double-figure assists in four of his last five games.

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