Russell Westbrook carries Wizards to wild win over Nets

Jan 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) celebrates with Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) against the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Westbrook hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds remaining as the host Washington Wizards posted an unlikely 149-146 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night.

Washington’s only lead was briefly in the second quarter before the frenetic final seconds that saw them score eight unanswered points in the final 8.1 seconds.

Bradley Beal’s deep 3-pointer got the Wizards within 146-144, then Garrison Matthews intercepted a rushed inbounds pass by Joe Harris intended for Kevin Durant with 6.8 seconds left. He quickly dished to Westbrook, who sank a 3-pointer over Kyrie Irving with 4.3 seconds remaining.

Westbrook scored 15 of his season-high 41 points in the fourth quarter as Washington snapped a four-game losing streak. Beal posted 22 of his 37 points in the final stanza as Washington beat the Nets in the final seconds for the second time this season after overcoming a nine-point deficit in the final 4:54.

Durant scored 37 and Harris added a career-high 30 for the Nets, who saw a four-game winning streak stopped and played without James Harden (left thigh contusion).

Irving added 26 and Jeff Green contributed a season-best 23 for Brooklyn, which shot 56.8 percent and led by 18 late in the first quarter.