Washington Wizards Lose to Oklahoma City Thunder Despite Good Effort

The Washington Wizards dropped a home game to the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-128.

In a game where no one would have batted an eye if the Washington Wizards rolled over and got beat by 20 points they continued to fight.

It ended with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder but most Wizards fans will walk away from this game with some positives.

READ MORE: Catch up from the First Half of Wizards vs. Thunder

Washington guard Jordan Poole had an excellent performance for the first time in weeks and was a big reason the Wizards kept this game relatively tight.

But on the one night Poole was efficient and executing at a high level he didn't play most of the fourth quarter.

This isn't the first time this year Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. has been questioned for late game rotation decisions and it probably wont be the last.

RELATED: What Needs To Change With HC Wes Unseld Jr?

Poole has really struggled defensively and tonight the Wizards looked pretty bad again on that side so it is probably why he didn't play much down the stretch.

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) in the third quarter at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Even after scoring 15 points in the third quarter in order to win, Washington needed stops.

It is still a questionable decision for the Wizards coach though.

Washington forward Kyle Kuzma also had a very good game ending with a 20 point and 15 rebound double-double.

Final from home. #ForTheDistrict | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/M9uLPrkSDh

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 9, 2024

The Thunders' dynamic duo of guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and center Chet Holmgren combined for 63 points and both shot over 64 percent from the field.

There was no answer going in for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Wizards quickly found out they didn't have an answer for Holmgren either.

Holmgren went 4-for-5 from three-point range which made him extremely lethal on pick-and-rolls.

It also dragged Washington center Daniel Gafford out of the paint allowing other Oklahoma City players to get easy looks inside.

Washington Wizards Draft Prospects: Perth Wildcats Center Alexandre Sarr

Looking forward the Wizards play at the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, January 10th.

It may be a different looking Pacers team then the first two matchups Washington had with them after what looks to be a devastating injury to All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton.

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