Wizards Open Up The Season 2-2 (11-1-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Washington Wizards
Washington D.C. – The new-look Washington Wizards begin the 2024 season 2-2. They dropped their first two contests with back-to-back losses at home against the defending champion Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Then followed up those performances with two straight wins against the Atlanta Hawks (once in ATL and the other at home.)
Against the Celtics, Washington struggled defending Tatum and Brown as they combined for 52 points. Boston also hurt the Wizards from behind the arc, hitting 17 three-pointers with five different players making at least one.
Vs. Cleveland
As mentioned in the season opener article, Washington played well in the first half once again against the Cavs. Only trailing 58-53 at the half. But the third quarter would change the game, as Cleveland went on a 12-0 run to amass a 16-point lead. Donovan Mitchell scored 10-of-his-30 points in the third.
Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen each had 23 points each. Allen shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor.
Second-year guard Bilal Coulibaly had a nice outing scoring his career-high at the time 23 points and hitting four three-pointers.
The Cavs score 10 more points in the paint than the Wizards with 50 total.
Cleveland cruised to a 135-116 victory.
Back-to-Back vs. Atlanta
Game one in Atlanta, saw the Wizards escape with their first victory of the season on the final possession after Trae Young missed a step-through runner three-pointer over Coulibaly. Coulibaly had an excellent defensive display tonight as he held Young to 13% shooting when checking him.
Kyle Kuzma was on fire in the second half, scoring 11 points in the third quarter highlighted by three straight 3-pointers. Unfortunately, he left the game late in the fourth with a groin injury.
Jordan Poole had another beautiful display of offense scoring a team-high 26 points, on 6-8 three-point shooting to go along with five assists and two steals.
Corey Kispert had 21 points off the bench making four 3-pointers and was a plus 13 on the court. Kispert split a pair of free throws before Young’s game-winner attempt.
Washington made 21 three-pointers. Picking up a 121-119 victory.
In game two, Coulibaly set a new career-high in the scoring category finishing with 27 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting from the field, hitting a pair of free throws and connecting with three 3-pointers. He also grabbed nine rebounds, flirted with a double-double, and had three steals and a block.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists off the bench. Jordan Poole scored 24 points. The trio of Wizards rookies each scored in double figures.
The Wizards took control in the second half outscoring Atlanta 76-55. A key 13-3 run in the third, allowed D.C. to lead 84-82 for the first time since the 1:46 mark in the first quarter 31-29.
Six three-pointers within the first six minutes of the final quarter allowed Washington to amass a 15-point lead that led them to control the rest of the quarter.
Trae Young led the Atlanta offense with a 35-point and 15-assist double-double. Number one overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and forward David Roddy each had 17 points.
Jalen Johnson flirted with a 20-20 performance, scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
Washington won 133-120.
