The Washington Wizards’ gameday effort has been questioned on-and-off at several points this season. At least for one night, that can be put to rest following the Wizards gritty 149-146 win over the Phoenix Suns in triple overtime.
#Wizards pull out a 149-146 win after three overtimes. pic.twitter.com/bzRL7OTEVp
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 23, 2018
In the midst of adjusting to new lineup changes and without John Wall who was out with flu-like symptoms, the Wizards worked through the adversity. It was a close game all night with 26 ties and neither team taking enough control to pull away in regulation. The largest lead held was eight points and that didn’t happen often with the game staying within 2-3 points most of the night.
“That was one heck of a game, and that’s obviously an understatement,” Wizards Coach Scott Brooks said. “Both teams gave it everything they had. We were obviously undermanned without John [Wall] but we played scrappy, tough, aggressive basketball. A lot of great plays, a lot of great plays. I mean, [Trevor] Ariza was just all over the floor defensively, just locked down every time, rebounds, steals, and deflections.
“Go down to Brad [Beal] and obviously TB [Thomas Bryant], I don’t even know if he played any minutes last year in the NBA and he starts and plays important minutes and quietly as he’s kept, he won all three jump balls in overtime,” continued Brooks. “He lost the first one pretty easily so I was a little concerned there, but he took the challenge and got all three of them. But a lot of great plays by a lot of players. Jeff [Green] hit big free-throws.”
Although everyone contributed, Bradley Beal and center Thomas Bryant had noticeably impressive performances. Beal earned his first career triple-double with 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists.
“I would say that I would never go out and try to get a triple-double,” Beal said. “It’s the hardest thing to do. A couple years in a row I’ve had nine and nine or eight and nine, eight and eight. I finally got it, so I’m happy I got it, but I don’t play to get triple-doubles.”
Bryant heated up late in the game which helped carry the Wizards in triple overtime. He had a career-high 31 points and 13 rebounds. Bryant also hit 14-14 field goals and 3-3 free throws setting a franchise record for field goals made without a miss.
“I had no idea,” Bryant said. “I was just in the flow of the game. I just let the game come to me. As soon as I felt like I was in the rhythm of it, I just went out and took it.”
The only player in NBA history to record a game with 15 or more field goals made without a miss is Wilt Chamberlain.
Saturday night also marked the return of Kelly Oubre, Jr. just a week after the Wizards traded him to the Suns. It was an emotional return for Oubre, Jr. as the crowd greeted him with a standing ovation during his first appearance in the game.
“It is love, man,” Oubre said when asked about the crowd’s response. “Love everybody in D.C., who genuinely rooted for me to succeed and I appreciate the love. You cannot really ask for anything more than that. That is kind of a moment that I will cherish forever and I will remember that forever man so I appreciate that.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. is back in DC to take on his former team, only a week or so after being traded to the #Suns. #WizSuns @SportsJourney pic.twitter.com/WyorMIqOie
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 23, 2018
The Wizards will have to recover fast from the excitement and exhaustion of the Suns victory. They immediately hopped on a flight after the game to head to Indiana as they face the Pacers in a back-to-back road game on Sunday night.