NBA: Wizards pick up rare win as Hornets’ struggles continue

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) shoots the ball over Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) in the third quarter of an NBA game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points in his return from injury as the host Washington Wizards defeated the Charlotte Hornets 123-114 in the NBA on Thursday night.

Brogdon, who also had six assists in 27 minutes off the bench, had missed the last four games with a strained hamstring.

The Wizards’ second win in their last 21 games featured a big performance from their young stars, including No. 1 overall pick Alex Sarr, who drained a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the final 3 1/2 minutes and finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.

READ: NBA: Luka Doncic, Mavericks hand Wizards 16th straight loss

Jordan Poole led Washington with 27 points. Bilal Coulibaly had 14 points, including an incredible fourth-quarter dunk.

LaMelo Ball finished with 34 points and 13 assists to lead the Hornets, but he shot just 11-for-32. Charlotte, which got 16 points and eight rebounds apiece from Miles Bridges and Mark Williams, has lost 11 of its last 12.

Malcolm Brogdon said Bilal Coulibaly’s dunk showed he’s “one of the cream-of-the-crop athletes in the NBA.” pic.twitter.com/7KbwBBRbA9

— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) December 20, 2024

Neither team was able to carve much of an advantage in the first half, which ended with the Wizards leading 60-58.

The Hornets made a big move in the final minutes of the third quarter — a pair of dunks by Nick Richards and a 3-pointer by Tidjane Salaun giving them their biggest lead at 86-79.

READ: NBA: Kyle Kuzma aiming to help Wizards build ‘winning culture’

The Wizards responded by scoring the final eight points of the quarter, all by Corey Kispert (13 points), to regain the lead.

Washington never trailed in the fourth, getting back-to-back 3-pointers by Poole to go up 101-94 with 5:59 left. With the hosts up by seven a minute later, Poole fed a high pass to Coulibaly, who with his 7-foot-3 wingspan was able to control and slam down with his right hand in an impressive athletic display.

Charlotte drew within seven in the final minute, but Poole sealed it with a pair of free throws.

Poole sank a 3-pointer for the Wizards’ first basket and tied a franchise record with Gilbert Arenas with his 53rd straight game with a made 3-pointer.

The crowd included NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who had attended a press conference earlier in the day announcing a major renovation plan for Capital One Arena to be completed over the next three summers. –Field Level Media