PORTLAND, Ore. — The Washington Wizards edged out a nail-biting 118-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, marking their fifth win of the season. Kyle Kuzma’s stellar performance, scoring 32 points, was pivotal in securing the win for Washington, now standing at 5-22.
Tyus Jones contributed significantly with 16 points, while Daniel Gafford added 14 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Poole and Deni Advija each chipped in with 11 points. Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. praised the team’s mental and physical resilience, underscoring the importance of the win regardless of the circumstances.
Portland’s Anfernee Simons was outstanding, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he scored 22 of his total 41 points. Deandre Ayton had a strong double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerami Grant added 20 points. However, Grant’s potential game-winning driving layup missed at the buzzer, resulting in the Trail Blazers’ record dropping to 7-20.
The game began with the Wizards establishing an early lead, opening with an 8-0 run and forcing Portland into three turnovers within the first 90 seconds. Portland struggled with ball control throughout the game, resulting in 15 turnovers that led to 21 points for Washington.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups expressed disappointment with the team’s start, acknowledging the difficulty in matching up with Washington’s fast-paced style.
The Wizards managed to build an 18-point lead in the second half, but a determined rally led by Simons brought Portland back into the game, tying the score. Washington, however, regained the lead and managed to hold onto it in the tense final moments. The Trail Blazers had a chance to snatch the victory in the closing seconds following a successful challenge that overturned a foul on Matisse Thybulle, but Grant’s layup attempt at the buzzer failed to connect.
Looking ahead, the Wizards will face a tough challenge against Golden State on Friday night, while the Trail Blazers have a chance to redeem themselves in their matchup with Golden State on Saturday night.
