The Washington Wizards suffered a sour loss Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, 121-111. It was a game that felt like the Wizards had every opportunity to win, but they never put the Cavs away until their opponents came roaring back late.
Washington’s first quarter was one of the most fun periods the team has had as far as I can remember. AJ Dybantsa came out guns blazing, scoring 9 first-quarter points in his first taste of NBA action. His first basket was an instant highlight.
Alex Sarr also took the court with some added aggression. He accounted for 7 of the Wizards’ first 9 points and scored more points in the period (13) than he has in any full game this season.
The three-ball kept the Cavaliers within striking distance early. Cleveland shot 7-of-8 from deep in the first 12 minutes, as Washington led 42-34 after one.
The Wizards continued their aerial assault in the second quarter, scoring six dunks. Washington scored 40 of their first 56 points in the paint to take a 69-59 lead into the break. Bilal Coulibaly led the way with 14 points at the half, while Dybantsa added 11.
Washington took its largest lead of 13 two minutes into the third quarter on a Dybantsa alley-oop dunk. But the Wiz kids just could not pull away completely as the Cavs crashed the offensive glass repeatedly for second-chance points. The good guys got outscored 25-14 to close the period as the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 92.
The Wizards’ inexperience showed down the stretch. The formerly free-flowing offense featured in the first half was nowhere to be found, as the team devolved into hero ball against a team much better equipped to score in isolation. The Cavs came away with the 10-point victory.
Dybantsa led Washington in scoring with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 27 action-packed minutes. Trae Young scored an inefficient 14 points with 8 assists. Sarr and Anthony Davis each had 18, while Kyshawn George tallied 8 points and 11 assists.
The Wizards begin their NBA Cup campaign on Friday in a rematch against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
