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The Wizards were defeated 104-95 on Sunday at Saitama Super Arena in the their second-and-final exhibition against the Warriors this week. The two-game slate headlined the NBA’s 2022 Japan Games, featuring two preseason matchups, an All-Star Saturday Night-inspired event, community initiatives and more.
Japan native Rui Hachimura led finished with a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) to go along with two assists and two steals. In just 22 minutes, Kristaps Porzingis scored a game-high 18 points and added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
Unseld Jr. leaned heavily on the team’s starting unit in the first half. Will Barton, Rui Hachimura, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis each played 15-plus minutes. Monte Morris got the start at point guard for the second game in a row and made an immediate impact, opening the night 5-6 (.833) from the field en route to an 11-point first half. The starters combined to score 44 of the team’s 56 first-half points and led Washington to a two-point lead at the break.
Hachimura’s strength was on display again Sunday. The Wizards wing finished through contact twice for a pair of and-one buckets in the first half, both drawing significant responses from another near-capacity crowd in Saitama.
In the closing moments of the first half, Corey Kispert suffered a left ankle sprain that sidelined him for the remainder of the game. Unseld Jr. said postgame that Kispert would receive treatment but declined to give a timetable for his full recovery.
A driving dunk for Kuzma off an impressive pass from Porzingis sparked a 12-2 Wizards run to open the second half, giving Washington a double-digit lead they maintained for most of the second half. The Wizards led 90-74 with 9:54 left in the game before a 19-1 run gave Golden State its first lead of the second half. The Warriors did not relent. The game-sealing run finished at 30-4 over the final stretch of the game to put Golden State up nine.
Washington was playing without Deni Avdija (left groin strain) and Bradley Beal (rest). Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said pregame that Beal’s day off was planned prior to the start of the trek to Japan.
Up next, the Wizards return stateside. Unseld Jr. says the team will take a day or so off before beginning a ramp-up back into regular preseason activities. Washington will take the court for its third preseason game against the Hornets on Monday, October 10 in Charlotte.