The AP reports: Shaquille O’Neal scored 13 in the Phoenix Suns’ 128-96 victory over Washington on Saturday night to pass Moses Malone as the No. 5 scorer in NBA history with 27,411 points… Jason Richardson responded with 35 points, 17 in the third quarter, Phoenix extended its winning streak to a season-high four games… Steve Nash added 17 points for the Suns, who pulled with 3 1/2 games of idle Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with 13 to play. Stromile Swift had 10 points and 12 rebounds in his best game since joining Phoenix on March 4.
Category: Washington Wizards Blog
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Gordon scores 26 points, Clippers beat Wizards
The AP reports: Chris Kaman is heavy and out of shape. His post presence is providing some much needed relief for the Los Angeles Clippers, though, albeit late in the season with no postseason to look forward to. Eric Gordon scored 15 of his 26 points in the third quarter, Baron Davis tied a career high with 20 assists, and the Clippers rallied to beat the lowly Washington Wizards 123-108 on Wednesday night. Kaman, sidelined for most of the season by a left foot injury, added 19 points in 21 1/2 minutes in his fifth game back for the Clippers… “Novak is like a video game. His shot is a beautiful thing to watch, and I am definitely surprised he is left open and unguarded so much,” said the Clippers’ Al Thornton, who finished with 22 points… Antawn Jamison led Washington with 24 points and brought the Wizards within two with 6:01 remaining. But that’s the closest they would get as Gordon slammed an alley-oop dunk, and Davis hit a jumper with 2 seconds remaining.
Jazz end skid with win over Wizards
The AP reports: Deron Williams admitted that the Utah Jazz put an underwhelming end to a three-game losing streak. The Jazz played well enough to beat the Washington Wizards 103-88 on Tuesday night, but knew they got away with mistakes that would have cost them against better teams… Ronnie Brewer scored 13 despite playing only the second and fourth quarters as punishment for oversleeping and missing Tuesday morning’s shootaround. Kyle Korver added 15 points on his 28th birthday as seven Utah players scored in double figures. Nick Young and Juan Dixon had 14 points each to lead Washington.
Wizards keep Kings in NBA cellar with 106-104 win
The AP reports: “We didn’t do things right,” said Wizards forward Antawn Jamison, who scored 30 points. “But the most important thing is that we got a win, and I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss.” … Andray Blatche added 16 points, and Darius Songaila 15 for the Wizards. Washington played without Caron Butler, who has a tight left hamstring and will have an MRI exam Monday. Kevin Martin scored 24 points, and Spencer Hawes had 20 to lead the Kings, who were missing Bobby Jackson (broken left cheekbone) but welcomed back Beno Udrih (out six games with a sprained right foot).
Howard’s strong game gets Magic past pesky Wizards
The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 18 points, 13 rebounds, a career-high seven assists and five blocks in Orlando’s 112-103 victory over the worst-in-the East Washington Wizards on Friday night, and he also collected his 13th tech this season… Indeed, Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 36 points for the Wizards, and second-year guard Nick Young added 20… As if the Wizards didn’t already have enough problems—what with Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson sidelined by injuries—two-time All-Star Caron Butler sat out the second half with a tight hamstring. And reserve forward Andray Blatche left in the second half with a bum ankle.
Paul’s triple-double leads Hornets past Wiz 109-98
The AP reports: Taking over the game when he wanted to—no matter what defensive schemes he faced—Chris Paul compiled 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds Wednesday night, steering the New Orleans Hornets to a 109-98 victory over Washington… Guarded by Wizards reserve Juan Dixon, Paul did pretty much whatever he wanted over the next 3 1/2 minutes, engineering a 12-0 run that tied the score. During that stretch, Paul scored 10 points and assisted on the other basket. He probably should have had two fewer points and an extra assist, but Rasual Butler somehow missed a layup off a perfect pass. So all Paul did was grab the rebound and drive for a layup himself.
Butler scores 27, Wizards beat Wolves 110-99
The AP reports: Caron Butler had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead the Wizards to a 110-99 victory over the Timberwolves on Monday night in a matchup of teams that had lost 14 straight combined. Antawn Jamison added 26 points for the Wizards, who had lost five in a row and seven of their last eight… Kevin Love had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 18 for the Timberwolves, who have lost 10 in a row and 15 of their last 16… Guard Randy Foye had to be carried to the locker room in the fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle. He went up to grab a high lob pass from Mike Miller, but crumpled to the court in pain.
Gooden sits as Spurs roll over Wizards
The AP reports: Drew Gooden left the Chicago Bulls and their losing record last month before spending a couple weeks in woeful Sacramento. Watching his first game with the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, Gooden said he can get used to this kind of winning. Tony Parker scored 19 points, Michael Finley had 12 and the Spurs treated Gooden to a dominant performance in a 100-78 victory over the Washington Wizards while San Antonio’s newest power forward sat on the bench in street clothes… Ime Udoka scored 13 points and reserve George Hill had 12 for San Antonio. The Spurs are more likely to have their hands full Sunday against Phoenix, and Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers in the final meeting of the West’s top two teams.
DeShawn Stevenson out 3-4 months after surgery
Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that guard DeShawn Stevenson had successful surgery to repair a herniated disc.
The procedure was performed this morning by Dr. John Starr at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC. Stevenson is expected to make a full recovery and will begin the rehabilitation process in two weeks. He will be able to resume basketball activity in three to four months.
Stevenson has missed 29 games this season due to lower back pain. He averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 assists in 32 games played.
Westbrook, Sefolosha lead Thunder past Wizards 88-83
The AP reports: The Oklahoma City Thunder are finding ways to win without their top two scorers. Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha made big baskets in the final 2 minutes Wednesday night, leading the Thunder to an 88-83 victory over the Washington Wizards for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Oklahoma City, which beat Dallas on Monday, was without both Kevin Durant (sprained ankle) and Jeff Green (back spasms) for the second straight game, with Durant missing all three wins… Antawn Jamison had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who have been banged up all year and played without Caron Butler for the second straight game. Andray Blatche and Darius Songaila scored 14 points each.