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Washington Wizards' Commitment to Defense Leading to Results
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- Washington Wizards' Commitment to Defense Leading to Results
(Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
After an offseason when the commitment to defense became a focal point, the Washington Wizards made that a reality for now the second consecutive game.
The Wizards held the Orlando Magic to just 94 points in the win on the road on Monday night, marking the second consecutive game the team has held an opponent to under 100 points. That marks notable given the consecutive games holding an opponent under 100 points marks the first time the feat has been reached since Dec. 30, 2022 into the New Year's Day game four seasons ago.
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Yet after taking a one point lead into halftime, what made Monday most impressive was the response after the Wizards held the Magic to just nine points in the third quarter. It marked the first time that the Wizards held an opponent under ten points since the Wizards held Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans to just eight points in the fourth quarter on Feb. 4, 2017. It came three days after the Wizards held the Hornets to 79 points, marking the first time in over one decade that the Wizards held an opponent to under 80 points.
Anthony Davis dazzled after adding 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, in addition to finishing just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. Yet his four steals marked the moto since matching that total twice in March 2024, though he wasn't alone after AJ Dybantsa added two of his three steals in the second half to team up with Kyshawn George for a dominant second half. Bilal Coulibaly added three blocks for the first time in a game this season, adding to the defense that head coach Brian Keefe has prioritized over the last two months. Yet for a roster adjusting to the extended absence of Justin Champagnie, the second half was enough to inspire confidence in a changed identity amid a season with heightened expectations.
Ahead of Tuesday, the Wizards now sit third in the Eastern Conference and seventh in the NBA in defensive rating, a welcomed development for an organization that comfortably ranked the worst team in the same category last season.
While the 4-3 start marks the organization's best start since the 2021-22 season, the improved defense will be put to the test over the next week with two meetings against the Atlanta Hawks -- including Trae Young's homecoming game -- scheduled alongside road games against Oklahoma City and Detroit.
