After losing in Brooklyn on Wednesday evening, the Wizards are now at an even 11-11 record more than a quarter of the way through the season. Can they get back in the win column during this Friday night matchup with the Hornets? Here's everything you need to know.
WHERE: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBC Sports Washington
RADIO: 106.7 FM & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
Rui Hachimura (right ankle soreness -- out)
Delon Wright (right hamstring strain -- out)
HORNETS:
LaMelo Ball (left ankle sprain -- out)
Gordon Hayward (left shoulder; scapula fracture -- out)
Cody Martin (left knee procedure -- out)
Dennis Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain -- out)
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS PLAYING HIS BEST BASKETBALL
Porzingis has played spectacularly well this season. There's an argument to be made that he's playing the best basketball of his career . He's been a nightmare for opponents on both offense and defense and is a huge part of the Wizards' early success to start the season.
Two games ago, he dropped a career-high 41 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field, 6-of-10 shooting from deep, and 11-of-11 shooting from the free-throw line to go along with four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. Then, last game against Brooklyn, he scored a team-high 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field while also gobbling up a career-high 19 rebounds and blocking two shots.
Porzingis is on a torrid pace right now. If he keeps going, he's likely to lock up an All-Star spot and contend for a place on one of the All-NBA Teams. Keep an eye on him in this matchup.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE DIVISION
The Wizards and Hornets have already played twice in this young NBA season. Their first matchup was in Charlotte on November 7 and the Wizards took care of business 108-100. The second meeting was just two weeks ago in D.C., and the Wizards took that one by a final score of 106-102.
Both games were close and hard-fought throughout, but the Wizards were able to grab wins in each one. Now, as they play for the third time in less than 30 days, it's crucial the Wizards don't take the Hornets for granted. They're a team that's struggling to pick up wins, but they play hard night in and night out.
In the NBA, getting wins within your division is crucial. Divisional teams play each other four times per season, and they get familiar with one another. If the Wizards can take care of business against the Hornets for the third time in a row, that will set them on the right track.
BENCH SCORING
The Wizards' bench has gone through a series of ups and downs this season. Delon Wright, one of the team's best perimeter defenders and a major spark plug strained his hamstring just four games into the season. And now, leading bench scorer Rui Hachimura is dealing with an injury that's kept him out for a stretch of games.
The good news for the Wizards is they've had other guys step up. Two-way guard Jordan Goodwin has been sensational filling in for Wright. He's a scrappy defender, he can get to the rim on offense, and he's a fantastic rebounder at his position. Second-year wing Corey Kispert has been another huge boost for this bench unit. He's averaging nine points per game on 51.7% shooting from the field and 42.3% shooting from three.
Tonight, the Wizards will need guys like Goodwin and Kispert to anchor the bench unit. It's a group that's struggled to put up points in the last few games, so any boost they can provide will be huge.