Shorthanded Wizards Fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105

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The Washington Wizards were back at home to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite keeping the game close for the majority of the game, the Wizards lost 114-105 to the Cavaliers. Forward Deni Avdija remained inactive with a left heel contusion.
Just before the game, Corey Kispert wasn’t feeling well (per Interim Head Coach Brian Keefe) and would be announced as out for the game with a non-COVID illness.
Update: Corey Kispert (non-covid illness) is out for tonight's matchup.
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 25, 2024
Then about six minutes into the game, Bilal Coulibaly was announced as out for the remainder of the contest with a right pelvis contusion.
Update: Bilal Coulibaly (right pelvis contusion) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game.
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 25, 2024
What was already a tough matchup-up looked to be even more grim with this news. However, the Wizards made a strong go for it with the efficient play of Forward Kyle Kuzma and Guard Jordan Poole.
JORDAN POOLE 30-PIECE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FjaueLq5xe
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 26, 2024
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.
🌪️ @kylekuzma
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 26, 2024
📊 23 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/sKJuQh2ldX
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.

Candi Waller also known as "CWall" is the Founder and CEO of CWall® Sports & Entertainment, President of the CWall Foundation, Inc, the Managing Publisher of the Fan Nation Inside the Wizards site, and President of Bowie Television. A native of Gorgeous Prince George's County, Maryland, Candi has been an authentic lover of all sports since her childhood. She was such a sports fan at an early age that she notes one of her favorite childhood shows as the legendary "George Michael Sports Machine". Candi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a certificate in Sports Industry Essentials from Columbia University. Prior to and during her work in the sports industry, Candi has established her identity as a results-driven, relationship building advocate and professional with extensive years of experience leading and implementing successful strategic change, communications, and stakeholder engagement programs across geographically dispersed organizations. She’s worked across Big Four and Government Trusted Advisor consulting firms such as IBM, Deloitte, and the MITRE Corporation. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Women in Sports & Events (WISE), the National Press Club (NPC), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and is an ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In terms of what she likes to do for fun, that’s just it…anything that is considered fun, she’s all for it! She’s very close to her parents, brother, and sister, and has a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
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