Luke Askew

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After a three-game road trip, the Washington Wizards (9-52) are back in D.C. and are ready to host the Orlando Magic (36-26). Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports NetworkRADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

WIZARDS:Marvin Bagley III (lower back spasm -- out)Isaiah Livers (right hip joint capsule inflammation -- out)

MAGIC:Gary Harris (right calf; injury maintenance -- questionable)Jonathan Isaac (left knee; injury maintenance -- questionable)

The Magic have taken a big step forward in the 2023-24 season. After finishing last season with a 34-48 record, the Magic have already secured more wins this season, currently sitting at 36-26. That record puts them in fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

The main reason behind their success this season has been the impressive growth of their two best players: Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.

Wagner is averaging an impressive 20.3 points per game on 48% shooting from the field to go along with 5.6 rebounds and four assists per game. Even better, Banchero is on the heels of his first All-Star appearance, averaging 22.9 points per game on 46.1% shooting from the field to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

Both Wagner and Banchero stand at 6'10" tall, but they have guard skills. Their ability to break down opposing defenses off the dribble and create good scoring opportunities out of thin air makes them nightmares to guard. They're at the top of Orlando's scouting report, and slowing them down is crucial in the effort to come away with a victory.

Since joining the Wizards, Marvin Bagley III has been a rebounding machine. He's been the primary center and has anchored the glass on both ends of the court. With Bagley sidelined on Wednesday due to injury, team rebounding will be pivotal for the Wizards.

Thankfully, the Magic aren't one of the elite rebounding teams in the league. They're 20th in rebounds per game at 42.9.

Keep an eye on backup bigs Richaun Holmes and Eugene Omoruyi as they attempt to anchor the defense and clean the glass, but also watch how all five Wizards on the court make rebounding a team effort. Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, and Bilal Coulibaly will all be needed.

On Monday night in Utah, Jordan Poole went nuts. He connected on his first eight field goal attempts (including five threes) and finished the game with 32 points in 29 minutes off the bench. That game capped a five-game stretch of Poole's best basketball as a Wizard.

Over his last five games, Poole has averaged 25 points on absurdly efficient .485/.426/.917 shooting splits to go along with 4.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He's shooting the ball with confidence, attacking the rim, blowing by defenders, and playing with moxie.

Watch Poole as soon as he checks into Wednesday's game. He's been lighting it up lately.

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Preview: Wizards host Magic on Wednesday night in D.C.

On Monday night, the Washington Wizards (9-51) will finish their three-game West Coast road trip in Salt Lake City when they take on the Utah Jazz (27-34). Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: Delta Center (Salt Lake City, UT)WHEN: 9:00 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports NetworkRADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

WIZARDS:Isaiah Livers (right hip joint capsule inflammation -- out)

JAZZ:Walker Kessler (right foot sprain -- out)Lauri Markkanen (right quadriceps contusion -- out)

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George has been one of the league's standout rookies this season. He's averaging over 12 points and nearly five assists in 27 minutes per game. He's shaping up to be one of the early steals from the 2023 NBA Draft.

While George has shown flashes all season long, he's been even better as of late. In the Jazz' last six games, George is putting up stellar averages of 20 points on .434/.436/.833 shooting splits to go along with six assists and 2.7 rebounds. On Monday, his role will be even bigger with Jazz star Lauri Markkanen sidelined due to injury.

Wizards wings Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly will likely shoulder most of the defensive responsibilities on George. Their length and athleticism will be a unique counter to George's quickness and skill. Plus, any time two of the top rookies face off against one another, it's always a fun time. Keep a special eye on the Coulibaly-George matchup.

This season, the Jazz have struggled to protect the rock. They have the league's worst turnover rate (15.5%). They lead the league in turnovers per game (15.8). And they allow the second-most points off turnovers per game (19.3). This is great news for the Wizards as forcing turnovers and getting out in transition is one of their biggest strengths.

Washington is at their best when they're able to turn defense into offense. They're tied for the third-most points off turnovers per game (17.9) and are second in fast break points (18.1). If the Wizards can jump passing lanes and disrupt ball-handlers with pressure, they'll be in a good position to come away with a win.

Another facet of the game the Wizards can aim to control is the paint battle. The Jazz struggle with paint defense. They're in the bottom third of the league in paint points allowed per game (52.2). Thankfully, this is an area the Wizards excel in. They're third in the NBA in paint points, averaging 55.5 per game.

This is where Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, and Jordan Poole can aim to take over.

Avdija, Kuzma, and Poole are all at their best when they put the ball on the deck and get downhill. Whether it's Avdija and Kuzma using their strength and length or Poole using his quickness and handle, those three guys are a nightmare for opponents who struggle with paint defense.

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Preview: Wizards close West Coast swing in Utah against Jazz

Just 24 hours after a tough overtime loss to the Lakers, the Washington Wizards (9-50) are ready to get back in action against the Los Angeles Clippers (37-20). Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)WHEN: 10:30 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports Network 2RADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

CLIPPERS:Paul George (left knee; meniscus irritation -- questionable) Ivica Zubac (illness -- questionable)

Spearheaded by the talented big three of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden, the Clippers have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. While their depth is one of their biggest strengths, make no mistake about it: This team starts and ends with Leonard.

After a few injury-riddled seasons, Leonard has been healthy and dominant this season, providing the Clippers with Championship hopes. He continues to look better and better as the season wears on. In February, Leonard played in 10 of the Clippers' 11 games and was utterly sensational in all 10, averaging 24.1 points on .539/.462/.907 shooting splits to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Leonard has cemented himself as one of the toughest players in the league to stop. His strength, skill, and versatility make him a nightmare for opponents. The key isn't stopping Leonard -- that's nearly impossible. The key is just doing your best to contain him. Can the Wizards force him into inefficient looks? Can they pressure him and get the ball out of his hands?

Look to Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma to shoulder most of the defensive load on Leonard.

Since shifting to a bench role, Jordan Poole has been able to take advantage of more possessions where the ball is in his hands and he's the primary creator. In that role, he's thrived, averaging over 23 points and four assists in five games. He capped off that five-game stretch with a season-high 34 points on 13-of-26 shooting from the field to go along with seven assists and three rebounds.

Poole is playing his best and most confident basketball of the season. Keep an eye on him as soon as he checks into the ball game on Friday night.

Corey Kispert is another Wizards guard who's been excelling lately. On Thursday night against the Lakers, he put up a 20-point, six-assist, six-rebound performance, marking his third-straight 20-point game. That marked the first time in his career that he's scored 20+ points in three straight games.

What's been most impressive about Kispert is how he's dug deep into his bag, pulled out his newest, shiniest tools, and used them to create scoring opportunities from everywhere on the court -- not just beyond the 3-point line. He's attacking the rack, taking defenders off the dribble, knocking down floaters, and finishing strong at the rim. He's turning into a complete offensive weapon, not just a knockdown shooter. On Thursday night against the Lakers, he went 6-of-8 on 2-point field goals.

Kispert and Poole have been an awesome backcourt pairing off the bench. When those two share the floor, good things tend to happen.

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Preview: Wizards face Clippers in second leg of Los Angeles back-to-back

The Washington Wizards (9-49) are ready to face the Los Angeles Lakers (32-28) for their first of a three-game West Coast road trip. Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)WHEN: 10:30 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports NetworkRADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

WIZARDS:Deni Avdija (left heel contusion -- questionable)Bilal Coulibaly (right pelvis; pelvic contusion -- out)Isaiah Livers (right hip; joint capsule inflammation -- out)

Unlike the Wizards, Thursday night's game will be the second leg of a back-to-back for the Lakers. Not only did they have a game on Wednesday night, but it was an emotional, hard-fought, come-from-behind victory where the Lakers had to use every ounce of energy to beat the Clippers. LeBron James fueled the comeback, playing 37 minutes and scoring 34 points. Anthony Davis notched a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in 36 minutes.

Back-to-backs are never easy in the NBA. When you factor in the age of the Lakers' core and the effort it took them to mount a comeback and earn the win just 24 hours ago, it makes it even harder. This is why the Wizards will have to push the pace.

The Wizards have a much younger core group of guys and they love to play fast. They're second in the league in fast break points per game (18) and first in pace (103.68). Conversely, the Lakers give up the fifth-most fast break points per game at (16.1). Look for the Wizards to get out in transition every chance they get.

Valuing possessions and taking care of the rock will also be crucial for the Wizards. In their last game against the Warriors, turnovers were costly. They committed 21 turnovers and gave up 30 points off of those turnovers. Unfortunately, the Lakers are even better than the Warriors at making teams pay for turning the ball over. They're in the top half of the league in points off turnovers (16.7) and third fast break points (17.5).

Thankfully, the Wizards have Tyus Jones, a point guard you can trust to protect the ball and make plays on offense without committing turnovers. He's coming off a career-high 17 assists and is averaging 13.2 assists and only 1.3 turnovers over his last six games. Those numbers are absurd. If the Wizards can limit their turnovers, they'll be in a good position to come away with a win in Los Angeles.

One aspect of the game the Lakers struggle at is keeping their opponents off the offensive glass. They allow the third-most second-chance points per game in the league at 15.4. This is where Marvin Bagley III comes in.

Since joining the Wizards, Bagley has been a menace on the offensive glass. In his 15 games in the Navy, Red, and White, he's averaging 13.6 points and 8.7 boards (4.3 offensive) despite averaging fewer than 25 minutes per contest. On Tuesday night against the Warriors, Bagley was up to his usual tricks, dazzling with a 20-point, nine-rebound performance.

Bagley's ability to put continuous pressure on the offensive glass makes him a nightmare to deal with for opposing bigs. Keep an eye on his relentless attack on Thursday night against the Lakers.

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Preview: Wizards start West Coast road trip in Los Angeles against Lakers

In a game full of ups and downs, the Washington Wizards ultimately fell to the Golden State Warriors by a final score of 123-112.

Kyle Kuzma set the tone for the Wizards on the very first possession of the game. As soon as he got his first touch, he put the ball on the deck and attacked his primary defender. As he got closer to the rim, he put his shoulder into the chest of Jonathan Kuminga to create space and then scored the bucket.

That play allowed Kuzma to get going and get to some of his favorite spots throughout the remainder of the first half. When given the chance, he'd put his shoulder down, and then spin back for a mid-range jumper. Butter. He provided a steady diet of buckets throughout the entire first half, scoring 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field at the break.

While Kuzma led each team in scoring at the break, the real story of the first half was how remarkably even it was between both squads. Each team made mini runs, but for the most part, the game was back and forth. Check out some of these halftime stats:

At halftime, the Warriors held a slight 60-58 lead despite Steph Curry being held scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting from the field (0-of-6 from three).

In the third quarter, things took a turn for the worse for Washington. Golden State was forcing turnovers and Klay Thompson caught fire. The Warriors outscored the Wizards 38-17 in the quarter and took a 98-75 lead heading into the final frame.

"I thought we played in crowds," said Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe when asked what went wrong in the third quarter. "We didn't kick the ball out when we were getting penetration into the paint and that just led to turnovers. And if you turn the ball over against them, that's death."

Impressively, the Wizards made a run to start the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 12 with 7:28 remaining. They'd continue to fight hard and make the Warriors work for everything, but a three by Curry with 2:23 left gave the Warriors a 14-point lead and essentially acted as the dagger.

Kuzma led the way for Washington with a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double. Corey Kispert and Marvin Bagley III each scored 20. Tyus Jones notched 14 points and a career-high 17 assists.

The Wizards will be back in action on Leap Day when they head to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Lakers.

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Recap: Wizards fall 123-112 to Warriors in D.C.

The Washington Wizards (9-48) are set to host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors (29-27) on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. Here's everything you need to know.

WIZARDS:Deni Avdija (left heel contusion -- questionable)Bilal Coulibaly (right pelvis; pelvic contusion -- out)Corey Kispert (non-COVID illness -- questionable)Isaiah Livers (right hip; joint capsule inflammation -- out)Landry Shamet (neck strain -- questionable)

WARRIORS:Gui Santos (right knee inflammation -- out)

Whether it's playing off-ball in the starting lineup or on-ball off the bench, the Wizards have been experimenting with different roles for new guard Jordan Poole this season, and it looks like something has been unlocked in the last few games -- something to keep an eye on down the stretch.

Since moving to the bench, Poole has been able to play with the ball in his hands more when he checks into the game. This allows him to initiate pick-and-rolls, read the defense from the top of the key, see the entire floor, and let him do what he does best: get creative.

On Sunday evening (his third game in this role), Poole exploded for a season-high 31 points on an efficient 11-of-21 shooting from the field to go along with five rebounds and five assists. It was the most confident and comfortable Poole has looked in a Wizards jersey, and he had the home crowd rocking every time he splashed home a jumper.

It's safe to expect Poole to play in this same role once again on Tuesday night against the Warriors, so keep an eye on him as soon as he checks into the ball game. If the Wizards can find ways to get the ball in his hands early in the shot clock, they'll be in a position to succeed.

Ever since Steph Curry became Steph Curry and Klay Thompson became Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors have been one of the most deadly teams in the league from 3-point range. For over a decade, they've been making it rain night in and night out. Even as they get older, they continue to knock down deep shots at a prolific rate.

This season, the Warriors are third in 3-point attempts per game (39.7) and third in 3-point makes per game (15). To no surprise, Curry and Thompson make up a large portion of those numbers. Curry is shooting 11.9 threes per game and is knocking them down at a 41.4% clip. Thompson is shooting 8.7 threes per game and hitting them at a 37.2% clip. The combination of those two guys makes defending the 3-point line incredibly difficult but an absolute necessity.

On Sunday night against the Cavaliers, Kyle Kuzma came out with a clear goal: Attack the rim. Over and over again, he put the ball on the deck and used his footwork, size, and dribble moves to get to the cup and finish. He made his first five shots of the game and it helped set the tone for the rest of the night, leading to one of the Wizards' most complete games of the season.

The Warriors' lack of rim protection is something Kuzma should be able to take advantage of on Tuesday night. Watch for him to get downhill early and set the tone once again.

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Preview: Wizards host Warriors in the DMV

Behind a season-high 31 points from Jordan Poole, the shorthanded Washington Wizards played one of their most complete games of the season against a tough Cleveland Cavaliers squad. Unfortunately, the Cavs were able to execute in the closing minutes, leading to a 114-105 loss for the Wizards.

With no Corey Kispert or Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma made sure to bring the energy right off the bat tonight in Washington. He got himself going by reaching deep into his dribble bag and attacking the rim from a variety of angles. He was finishing over and over again with tough floaters and lay-ins. Then, the jumper got activated. He made his first five shots of the game, scoring 11 of the Wizards' first 16 points. Kuzma finished the first quarter with 14 points.

Jordan Poole was the other story of the first half. Checking in off the bench in the first quarter, Poole knocked down back-to-back jumpers (one from beyond the three-point line) to get himself five quick points. Then, a couple of minutes later, he used the backboard to bank in another jumper. He had seven points in the first frame and helped the Wizards take a 31-27 lead into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Poole stayed hot. Not only was he scoring the ball from all over the court, but he was using his dribble penetration to create quality looks for teammates. He was also defending hard and rebounding at a high clip. Poole finished the first half with 17 points in 16 minutes on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 shooting from deep to go along with five boards and three assists.

Despite high-level play from Kuzma and Poole, the Cavs were able to retake the lead in the second quarter behind a dominant effort from Jarrett Allen. At the break, the Cavs led 55-54 behind Allen's 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Kyle Kuzma got the third quarter started the same way he started the game: Attacking the basket relentlessly. He scored the first points of the second half on a nice driving layup. Unfortunately for the Wizards, the Cavs were ready for a battle in the third quarter. Their bigs -- Allen and Evan Mobley -- were controlling the game on both ends of the court, finishing with dunks around the rim and swatting shots on defense. Still, the Wizards hung tough. Heading into the fourth, the Cavs held an 87-80 advantage behind 20/11/5 from Allen and 18 points from Mobley.

The start of the fourth quarter is when things got electric. It was a certified Poole Party, as the Wizards' guard scored seven points in the first two minutes, including back-to-back threes to help his squad retake the lead. With 10 minutes remaining in the contest, Poole had 28 points, the Wizards had a three point lead, and the Cavs were forced to take an early timeout. On the Wizards' first possession out of that timeout, Poole cashed a side-step three. That marked a 17-1 extended run for the Wizards, but basketball is a game of runs, and the Cavs still had one big one left in them.

After a slow first half, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland got things going offensively. They were knocking down shots, and for a six-minute stretch from roughly eight minutes left to two minutes left, the Cavs went on a massive, momentum-changing 22-4 run. There wasn't enough time for the Wizards to respond with another one of their own. Final score: Cavs 114, Wizards 105.

Poole finished with a season-high 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field, 6-of-13 from three, and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe to go along with five boards and five assists. Kuzma was right behind him with 27 points, seven rebounds, and five assists of his own.

Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe praised his team's effort and process, saying, "Our resilience throughout the whole game was great... It was a team effort to get us to the end, and I was proud of how the guys kept fighting."

Washington will be back in action on Tuesday night when Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors come to town.

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Recap: Wizards fight hard, fall 114-105 to Cavaliers

The Washington Wizards (9-47) will be back home for the first time since the All-Star break when the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-19) come to town. Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)WHEN: 6:00 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports NetworkRADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

WIZARDS:Deni Avdija (left heel contusion -- questionable)Isaiah Livers (right hip; joint capsule inflammation)

CAVALIERS:Ty Jerome (right ankle surgery -- out)Donovan Mitchell (illness -- probable)

The Cavaliers hadn't often found themselves in the national discourse this season. They're not widely thought of as one of the best teams in the league, or one of the teams with legitimate championship hopes, but they're quietly the hottest team in the league. They're 18-4 in their last 22 games and currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

One of the main points of emphasis for the Wizards on Sunday night will be to put the pressure on right away. They need to throw the metaphorical first punch. If the Cavs are allowed to get hot early and set the tone, they'll be able to take control early.

There are a lot of ways the Wizards can seize control early on. For starters, they can knock down shots, get to the free-throw line, and defend without fouling. The best way, though, is to get out and run in transition.

Running in transition is one of the areas the Wizards are best at. They're second in the league in fast break points per game (17.8) and fourth in points off turnovers (18). The good news is this is an area the Cavaliers have struggled to defend over the course of the season. They're 22nd in opponents points off turnovers, allowing 17 per game.

Bilal Coulibaly and Kyle Kuzma are two of the leading forces in transition play for the Wizards. Their combination of length and athleticism allows them to jump passing lanes and force turnovers. Then, when they catch the ball in the open court, it's over.

Since joining the Wizards, Marvin Bagley III has been one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. He has lethal bounce on his second jump. He has fantastic instincts around the rim. Above all, he never gives up on a loose ball. In his 13 games as a Wizard, Bagley is averaging 4.5 offensive rebounds per game despite only averaging 23 minutes of playing time. Per 36 minutes, he's grabbing seven (seven!) offensive rebounds.

Led by Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the Cavs are one of the league's best rebounding teams. Bagley's ability to keep the pressure on them will be pivotal.