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Jan 24, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (12) handles the ball towards Charlotte Hornets ahead Moussa Diabate (14) in the course of the first quarter on the Spectrum Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photographs The Washington Wizards discover themselves within the midst of one other prolonged shedding streak, however crew officers are more and more optimistic in regards to the future.
The membership brass might be searching for continued development when the Wizards face the visiting Portland Path Blazers on Tuesday.
Portland has dropped two in a row following a four-game successful streak. The Path Blazers scored a season-low 37 factors within the first half of a 102-94 highway loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday.
The rebuilding Wizards turned in one other encouraging outing earlier than shedding their ninth straight recreation on Saturday, falling 119-115 to the host Charlotte Hornets.
Washington’s beginning lineup of Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington and Will Riley was the NBA’s youngest in common age (20.64 years) because the league started monitoring that knowledge in 1970-71.
George had 11 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists earlier than exiting the sport within the fourth quarter with a left ankle harm. He’s anticipated to play on Tuesday.
Johnson recorded profession highs of 26 factors and 6 assists within the Saturday loss for the Wizards, who dropped 14 in a row earlier this season. The 19-year-old rookie additionally made a career-high six 3-pointers.
“This man has been in our gymnasium, engaged on his craft,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe mentioned. “We all know he can shoot and make performs for himself, however I have been actually impressed with how he’s involving his teammates.”
Keefe is 36-129 as an interim and everlasting head coach with the Wizards, however Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger praised him for creating a younger roster.
“I believe Brian has completed a exceptional job,” Winger mentioned. “He is constructed a tradition of competitiveness, accountability, togetherness and pleasure. I am very, very happy with the job that Brian has completed.”
Washington is ready to start a five-game homestand towards a Portland crew that trailed 32-11 on the finish of the primary quarter towards Boston on Monday.
Jerami Grant completed with 19 factors to guide the Path Blazers, whereas Toumani Camara added 18.
Main scorer Deni Avdija (26 factors per recreation) missed his second straight recreation with a decrease again pressure, however he’s anticipated to be obtainable on Tuesday.
Rookie guard Caleb Love had 11 factors within the loss to Boston and is averaging 15.4 factors in 13 video games this month.
“He is actually stepped up,” Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter mentioned. “However what I am most impressed with is the hassle he has put in defensively. He does not have the largest wingspan or leap the best, however he all the time places within the effort.”
Love has scored in double figures in 17 of his previous 18 video games.
“I am simply attempting to profit from my alternative,” mentioned Love, who went undrafted out of Arizona final summer time. “Till I get the place I need to get — having my contract transformed — I do not need to get forward of myself. But when I do get transformed, it’ll undoubtedly be a milestone that I’ll be pleased with, for certain.”
Portland swept the two-game season sequence towards Washington final season and has received 10 of the previous 13 conferences between the groups.
–Subject Stage Media
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