Kyle Kuzma delivered a standout performance with 26 points, leading the Washington Wizards to a 110-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets during Friday’s NBA action. Deni Avdija also contributed significantly, with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
The game, which saw the Wizards ending a three-game losing streak, had fans at Capital One Arena on their feet, especially as Kuzma scored nine crucial points late in the game to secure a rare home win. Kuzma expressed his desire to be a top option for the team, similar to leaders of other teams.
“That’s how I want to play,” Kuzma said. “When you think about the top options on every team, that’s how they play. I don’t necessarily have the opportunity to do that.”
Tyus Jones also played a key role for the Wizards, scoring 12 points. This win was a notable achievement for Washington, especially considering the Nets’ recent struggles, including a seven-game losing streak and back-to-back losses to the Detroit Pistons.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The game was a tightly contested affair with 13 lead changes and eight ties. Mike Muscala’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter was pivotal for the Wizards, helping them regain the lead. Muscala finished with 11 points coming off the bench.
Avdija remarked on the playoff-like atmosphere and intensity of the game, praising the team effort and fan support.
“The atmosphere was great. Friday night, fans showed out,” Avdija said. “Honestly, I asked Corey (Kispert) in the locker room if it felt like a playoff game to him because of the intensity of the game, good crowd. It was really fun to play today, and I think we got going. Certain units got going. Everybody participated tonight, which was big time for us.”
For the Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie had 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Mikal Bridges contributed 19 points. Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson also added valuable points and rebounds.
The first quarter was evenly matched, ending in a 25-25 tie. The second quarter saw the Wizards pulling ahead, but the Nets took the lead briefly before Avdija’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer gave Washington a slim halftime lead.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe made notable contributions from the bench. Nets coach Jacque Vaughn highlighted missed opportunities and the added pressure in the fourth quarter due to these lapses.
“There were so many stretches through the course of the game where I don’t think we took advantage of opportunities that we had, whether that was finishing quarters the correct way, whether that was just throwing simple passes instead of elaborate passes and complicating things,” Vaughn said. “And so when you don’t take advantage of each possession, you put yourself in a position where it’s a little bit more pressure and stress on you in the fourth quarter.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Brooklyn began the second half with an 8-0 run, leading into the final quarter. However, with contributions from players like Corey Kispert, the Wizards maintained their composure and edged out the victory.
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, while the Wizards will host the Atlanta Hawks on the same day.
