NEW YORK — On Wednesday night, Jordan Poole led the Washington Wizards to a convincing victory over the Brooklyn Nets, contributing 19 points to secure a 119-102 win.
Poole was part of a strong offensive effort, with six Wizards players scoring in double figures. Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert each added 17 points, while Bub Carrington chipped in with 16 points.
For the Nets, Keon Johnson stood out with 25 points, and Cam Johnson supported the effort with 17 points. Despite their performance, the Nets could not keep up with the Wizards’ momentum.
The Wizards entered the final quarter with an 88-73 lead and quickly built on it, outscoring the Nets 15-9 in the first half of the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 103-82. Durante that stretch, long-range shots from Kispert, Carrington, and George proved critical.
The Wizards faced challenges coming into the game, having recently traded away key players Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin Jr. to Milwaukee, and Jonas Valanciunas to Sacramento. Despite the situation, Wizards coach Brian Keefe maintained a positive outlook, urging his players to “just go play” and emphasizing that players have routinely stepped up under varying circumstances throughout the season.
On the other hand, Nets coach Jordi Fernandez commended his team for staying focused amidst ongoing trade rumors. He noted that the players had been involved in discussions for some time and expressed confidence in their ability to continue competing effectively despite the distractions.
A key moment in the game occurred in the third quarter when the Wizards capitalized on an off night for the Nets, who were held to just 12 points while missing 15 of their 19 shot attempts.
Statistically, this game marked a low point for Brooklyn, as they fell to a 6-17 record at home, while Washington improved its dismal road performance to 4-21.
Looking ahead, the Wizards are set to host the Cavaliers, currently leading the Eastern Conference, on Friday evening. Meanwhile, the Nets will take on the Heat in their next matchup at home.
