In a thrilling matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats, CJ McCollum and Kyshawn George each scored an impressive 28 points, leading the Washington Wizards to a remarkable 130-122 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday night. This win was particularly significant as it marked the end of a frustrating seven-game losing streak for the Wizards in this venue, a place where they hadn’t triumphed since January 5, 2018.
Adding to the Wizards' success, Alex Sarr contributed a solid 18 points along with 11 rebounds, while Marvin Bagley chipped in 16 points. In a standout performance during the second half, McCollum demonstrated his shooting prowess by hitting four out of five attempts from beyond the three-point line. George also had a well-rounded game, not only scoring but also providing seven assists and seven rebounds to support his team.
On the other side of the court, Santi Aldama shone for Memphis, achieving a career-high 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His efforts were complemented by Jaren Jackson Jr., who added 22 points, and Cam Spencer, contributing 19 points. The game reached a critical juncture when it was tied at 115 with just 4:31 remaining. However, a crucial three-pointer from Sarr gave the Wizards a narrow 121-119 lead with two minutes left, and they maintained control for the remainder of the game.
Memphis faced challenges throughout the match due to injuries, leaving them with only nine active players. Brandon Clarke exited early in the first quarter with soreness in his right calf, and both Jackson and Jock Landale found themselves in foul trouble with five fouls each, which allowed the Wizards to stage their comeback during the third quarter.
In a pivotal moment, McCollum’s layup at the very end of the third quarter tied the score at 95 as the teams entered the final period. Washington displayed exceptional shooting, hitting 63% of their shots while outscoring the Grizzlies 42-27 in the fourth quarter, effectively erasing what had once been a daunting 20-point deficit for Memphis.
The Wizards managed to stay competitive through the early part of the second quarter, but a surge from Memphis, characterized by a 17-5 scoring run, propelled the Grizzlies to a 68-53 lead at halftime, with Aldama and Jackson combining for a staggering total of 42 points by that point.
Tre Johnson also made a notable impact off the bench for Washington, contributing 12 points.
Looking ahead, the Wizards will host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Grizzlies are set to travel to Oklahoma City for their next game on Monday.
