Washington Wizards Treading Water Despite Four-Game Losing Streak

The Washington Wizards haven't climbed in the NBA Power Rankings but they haven't dropped either despite a four-game losing streak.

The Washington Wizards (3-18) enter their Monday matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers (14-7) on a four-game losing streak and have just one victory in over a month. 

While the only thing the Wizards have consistently done is lose, the same consistencies by other teams have ensured the team a second straight week at No. 28 in the latest NBA Power Rankings.

READ MORE: Updated Win-Loss Total for the Wizards

"(Washington) had a fourth-quarter lead against the Sixers on Wednesday, but couldn’t get late stops, allowing Philly to score 18 points on 11 clutch possessions," says NBA.com. "Washington remains the only team without a clutch win, now 0-7 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes, ranking 29th in clutch offense and 30th in clutch defense."

Washington Wizards Kyle Kuzma (33) and Bilal Coulibaly (0) and Jordan Poole (13) and Daniel Gafford (21) and Tyus Jones (5) during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.  / Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sport

Helping the Wizards tread water in the rankings is the similarly subpar play coming out of the San Antonio Spurs (3-18) and Detroit Pistons (2-20). 

"Their last five games have been their worst stretch of offense (101.4 points scored per 100 possessions) this season," NBA.com says of the Pistons. "They didn’t score more than a point per possession in any quarter in Orlando on Friday.

The most current losing streak for Washington started with back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Orlando Magic (15-7) followed up with a five-point loss to the 76ers and a 27-point beatdown against the Brooklyn Nets (12-9).

While the Wizards seek to make up for their disappointing finish against Philadelphia their opponent is currently one of the better team's in the NBA sitting fifth in this week's power rankings.

"Joel Embiid returned from a two-game absence and dropped 50 in Washington on Wednesday," NBA.com says. "The Sixers won both of their games, though they faced fourth-quarter deficits against both the Wizards and the Hawks without Trae Young."

Washington Wizards vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game Predictions (12-11-23)

The good news is that despite giving up such a drastic point total to Embiid Washington still nearly pulled out a win. 

A similar performance on Monday could give the team a big shot in the arm if they can duplicate, and even improve on that effort.

You can follow David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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