Kyle Kuzma Gives Blunt Assessment of Wizards’ Defense After Loss to Magic

The Washington Wizards wing did not hold back after the team’s latest disappointing effort against the Orlando Magic.

It’s no secret the Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season.

An incongruent offense and lackadaisical defense are the primary factors to Washington’s 3–15 start to the season. But after the team’s latest loss on Wednesday night, a 19-point defeat at the hands of the Magic, wing Kyle Kuzma honed in on the defensive struggles specifically.

“We can’t guard a stop sign,” Kuzma said following the 139–120 loss. “That’s kind of really what it boils down to. We let anybody get whatever they want on us. So, until we change that, then that’s probably going to be the result.”

The Magic shot 60.7% from the floor and 63.0% on three-pointers Wednesday, sinking 17 threes in the runaway victory. The Wizards got crushed on the glass, too, losing the rebounding battle 44–29. Adding insult to defeat, the Magic recreated one of the most famous dunks in NBA history. 

On the season, the Wizards rank dead last in the NBA in defended field goal percentage, allowing opponents to convert at a 50.3% clip from the floor through 18 games.

Washington was expected to be one of the league’s worst teams this year, and it’s living up to every bit of the billing nearly a quarter of the way through the season.

The Wizards and Magic (13–5) match up again Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Orlando.