Wizards Get First Home Win of the Season

By Yusuf House

WASHINGTON - The Washington Wizards (2-4) ended a three-game losing streak tonight against a spirited Detroit Pistons (3-5) squad. Rui Hachimura and Bradley Beal sensed the Wizards couldn’t afford a lackluster performance following their 22 point loss to Minnesota. Hachimura paced the Wizards in the first half with aggressive play scoring 10 points in the opening quarter. Bradley Beal stepped up in crucial moments of the game finishing with 22 points 

The Wizards led by 15 points at one point in the second quarter however the Pistons managed to cut the lead to 2 points 63-61 before halftime. The Wizards began to pull away in the third quarter with strong play from Wizards center Thomas Bryant. Thomas had 8 points 4 rebounds in the 3rd quarter.  

Andre Drummond finished with 15 points and 24 rebounds. The Wizards ended Drummond’s 20 point 20 rebound streak as Drummond totaled at least 20 points and 20 rebounds for the third straight game prior to this meeting. Luke Kennard also played well shooting 50% from the field (75% from 3) and finishing with 24 points. The Pistons couldn’t manage to close the gap down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Detroit was without several key contributors including injured point guards Reggie Jackson (back), Derrick Rose (hamstring) and Tim Frazier (shoulder) also well as well as forward Blake Griffin, who missed his seventh game with left knee soreness.

In a lineup change Scott Brooks inserted Isaiah Thomas into the staring lineup. This marked the first time Thomas has started since March 2018. Both teams resume play on Wednesday, Detroit hosting the Knicks and the Wizards traveling to Indiana.