NBA: Wizards down Hornets for rare winning streak

Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly, left, looks to pass the ball around Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Bilal Coulibaly pumped in 26 points and reserve Corey Kispert racked up 25 points as the visiting Washington Wizards defeated the Charlotte Hornets 124-114 on Monday night, winning back-to-back games for just the second time this NBA season.

Kyle Kuzma provided 22 points for the Wizards, who ended a 16-game losing streak by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Jonas Valanciunas posted 14 points and 17 rebounds, and Malcolm Brogdon came off the bench to log 16 points.

The Wizards, who own the worst record in the league, piled up 46 points in the second quarter — their highest total in any period this season. They picked up their league-low third road victory (in 24 tries).

READ: NBA: Wizards beat Timberwolves to end 16-game losing streak

All five Charlotte starters scored in double figures, led by Miles Bridges and Nick Smith Jr. with 24 points apiece. Bridges had the first triple-double of his career by supplying 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Mark Williams had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Vasilije Micic notched 13 points and Josh Green added 11 points for the Hornets, who have lost five straight games — all at home.

Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Wong (21) drives past Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Washington took 51 of its 99 shots from beyond the 3-point arc. The Wizards made 17 from long range (33.3 percent), while Charlotte went 11-for-29 on 3-point attempts (37.9 percent).

Coulibaly had his second-highest point total of the season, but it was his best offensive production since mid-December. He shot 9-for-16 from the field, making 4 of 8 3-point shots.

There were some shaky second-half stretches for Washington, which led 77-54 at halftime. Williams converted a three-point play with 50.4 seconds to play, closing the gap to 121-114. Brogdon sank a couple of free throws with 40 seconds to go.

The Wizards held an 18-9 advantage in offensive boards.

The Hornets had to hustle to even make the score look respectable after the first half.

Washington built a 26-point lead before settling for a 23-point edge at the break. The Wizards shot 51.9 percent from the field in the first half while compiling a 24-4 advantage in fastbreak points. The Hornets shot 41.3 percent overall in the opening two quarters.

The Wizards also connected on 13 shots from 3-point range before halftime, with Kispert draining five of those. –Field Level Media