Tyus Jones

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Tyus Jones led the NBA for a league-record sixth-consecutive season with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.35, the highest recorded in a single season in NBA history and a career-best for him. Jones averaged a career-high 12.0 points and 7.3 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. His 12 games with double-figure assists this season also mark a career high.

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2023-24 Season Highlights | Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones spoke to the media following the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season.

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2023-24 Washington Wizards Exit Interviews: Tyus Jones

Interim head coach Brian Keefe, Kyle Kuzma, and Tyus Jones spoke to the media following Tuesday night's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Media Availability: Brian Keefe, Kyle Kuzma, and Tyus Jones | 03/12/24

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Interim head coach Brian Keefe, Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones spoke to the media following the Wizards' win over the Miami Heat on Sunday night.

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Media Availability: Brian Keefe, Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones | 03/10/24

Highlights from Tyus Jones’ 21-point (6 assists) performance against the Jazz on Monday night in Salt Lake City.

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Highlights: Tyus Jones scores 21 at Jazz | 03/04/24

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Luke Askew

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

Tyus Jones recored a career-high 17 assists against the Golden State Warriors at Capital One Arena on Tuesday night.

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Highlights: Tyus Jones records career-high 17 assists vs. Warriors | 02/27/24

Less than 24 hours after a hard-fought loss in Denver, the Washinton Wizards (9-46) are back on the road in Oklahoma City as they're set to face the Thunder (38-17). Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ETTV: Monumental Sports NetworkRADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App

Tyus Jones is having the best season of his career and over the last three games, he's only been better. He's scoring the ball efficiently, creating shots for his teammates, and doing it all while taking care of the rock. Here's Jones' statistical breakdown over the last three Wizards games:

Any time you can string together 14+ assists in three straight games while finding ways to get yourself into double-digit scoring, you know you're on a tear. When Jones is on the floor, the Wizards' offense flows smoothly and has a composed attack. He plays at his own pace and is never overwhelmed by the moment. That's what the Wizards will need on Friday night against one of the West's best teams.

In his first full season as the bona fide number-one option, Kyle Kuzma is taking it all in stride and playing consistently good basketball. He's averaging a career-high 22 points per game and doing so on a career-best 45.7% shooting from the field.

In Thursday night's game against the Nuggets, Kuzma looked as refreshed and aggressive as ever. While the offense was going through periods of struggle, Kuzma continued to attack, making things happen and keeping the squad alive. He finished with a game-high 31 points on an efficient 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from deep to go along with 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. That high-level impact is something Kuzma will need to bring to the court once again when the Wizards head into OKC on Friday night. If he can shoulder the load offensively, the team will be in a good position.

Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the league and is a sure-fire top-five MVP candidate this season. He's averaging over 31 points per game and seems to never have an off game. While he's the engine that makes the Thunder go, rookie big man Chet Holmgren is the X factor that unlocks the team's ceiling.

Holmgren has been one of the most impactful rookies in the league this season. He's averaging nearly 17 points per game on .535/.396/.771 shooting splits to go along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 blocks. His ability to take over the game on both ends of the floor in a variety of ways makes him incredibly difficult to gameplan for. He's a dynamic shot-blocker. He can hit threes. He can finish in the paint. He can score on or off the ball.

This will certainly be a tough matchup for Wizards center Marvin Bagley III, but it won't all be on him. The Wizards will have to play solid team defense, rotate swiftly, and attack him at the right times on offense.