Brandon Scott here, the host of the daily Locked On Wizards podcast, with your daily Locked On Wizards newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wizards and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
After getting blown out by the Cavs for their 15 straight loss, is there any rest for the weary?
Last night was the worst of nights for a team that has already had a long season. The Wizards sit at 2-17 for the worst record in the NBA. The leading scorer was Jonas Valanciunas at 13 points, yes, Jonas Valanciunas. Nothing against Jonas but when you have a resurgent Jordan Poole and an up-and-coming Bilal Coulibaly, JV shouldn’t be your top scorer. And yes, defense was an issue and the 21 turnovers didn’t help either. Is there any chance the Wizards win another game, anytime soon? Let’s get into the good, the bad, and the ugly about last night’s game and then take a look at the schedule.
The Good - Jonas Valanciunas
JV scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as one of the few bright spots for the Wizards last night. Jordan Poole did contribute 13 points but his 5 turnovers and lack of impact as the number one scoring option tells us that he is not ready to be that guy to put the team on his back. Am I being a little unfair, maybe a little considering the Cavs are the best team in the Eastern Conference if not the whole association? For JP13 to be regarded as a top-scoring option for the Wizards for now and in the future, he has to step up and shine when the lights are the brightest.
The Bad - Defense as usual
The defense was bad as usual. The Cavs had seven players in double figures and shot 48.3 percent from the field and 34.8 from three. Talking about three-pointers, the Wizards shot 4-26 from behind the arc. The three-point line is their kryptonite.
The Ugly - Turnovers
The Wizards committed 21 turnovers which led to the Cavs scoring 25 points off of those turnovers. The two guards of the future both committed 5 turnovers and Sarr contributed 4 more. Ball security is important in all sports and should be prioritized in the nation’s cap. Next are the next 5 games and my predictions for those games.
Thursday, December 05 - Dallas Mavericks (Loss) Saturday, December 07 - Denver Nuggets (Loss) Sunday, December 08 - Memphis Grizzlies (Loss) Friday, December 13 - @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Loss) Sunday, December 15 - Boston Celtics (Loss)
Dec 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to secure the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The first thing I saw when I woke up this morning was a clip of Rockets coach, Ime Udoka, stalking toward referee John Goble and subsequently getting himself ejected. Udoka was incensed over the refs not calling a foul on behalf of Alperen Senguin, who drove to the basket through multiple instances of contact (and shoving) from Kings big, Domantas Sabonis.
The next thing I saw was a report that Rockets forward Tari Eason had run up into the stands after the game’s final whistle to confront a fan who heckled him as he was exiting through the tunnel.
As my brain stirred with the smell of coffee and I read about martial law unfolding and quickly thwarted by protestors and the political opposition in South Korea, I toggled my basketball opinion from This seems serious to It’s really not, regarding all the emotions spilling out on-court last night. This is what, by design, the In-Season Tournament was made for.
This part of the NBA season typically saw a taper of audience attention. The piqued interest of the season getting underway wanes, partially due to the predominantly American audience choosing NFL football over mid-week basketball. The NBA’s Christmas Day slate of games sees a viewership spike but otherwise the “stakes” don’t feel compelling to the casual fan until All-Star, and then again as the playoffs approach. Team owners and the Board of Governors panicked and thus: The NBA Cup was introduced.
Domineering corporate interest aside, the happy side effect of the In-Season Tournament has been higher stakes across the board, and not just from prize incentivization for players (though Josh Hart admitting he just wants a watch is also pretty funny). Young teams, teams on the competitive verge, and teams that may have been considered write-offs to start the season have for the most part used their NBA Cup nights as test runways for playing on a bigger stage and at a higher level. It didn’t necessarily work out for all of them (I had high hopes for the Spurs), but a glance at the Cup’s quarter finals bracket reveals a varied and interesting field of teams.
It’s both preposterous and cool that Warriors vs. Rockets is now a potential Western Conference playoff preview, and that the same goes in the East with Bucks vs. Magic. The Hawks and Knicks will be reunited in their rivalry, and the budding friction between the Mavs and Thunder, through the pestering of Luka Doncic by players who’ve all taken a page from his offensive book, is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Friction, in good competition, is inevitable. It’s also partially the point. Certainly, coaches shouldn’t make a habit of hounding refs around the court but friction and competition, and friction in competition, don’t need to be negatives.
Two great examples of the symbiotic relationship between the two came in last night’s slate of knockout games. First, with the always expressive Draymond Green unable to hide his disdain from the sidelines as Nikola Jokic grabbed his face after coming down from collision under the rim with 14 seconds left in the game. Green was less actually distraught than sporting a classic “I’m not mad, just disappointed” look.
The second came in the chippy, high-intensity Rockets-Thunder match-up, with Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting tangled up with each other when they both clamped down on the same loose ball. Neither let it go and they both went careening into the Rockets bench, with their teammates swirling behind. It eventually broke up in laughter because neither of them could keep a straight face, having as close a relationship as they do as teammates for Canada Basketball. When the refs swooped in en masse, Brooks and Gilgeous-Alexander assured them they were cool, everything was fine, and the game continued.
These are games that have gone from weeknight skips, better to relive watching through their highlights the next day, to must-see matches. The stakes range from funny to secondarily furious, tense to over-the-top; are stakes that still only exist in the insular world of NBA basketball, but there are stakes. It’s early December, and we have stakes.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The Washington Wizards’ recent performance metrics against the Cleveland Cavaliers reveal significant insights into their statistical shortcomings. The analysis highlights key areas needing improvement to enhance competitive edge. (Bullets Forever)
Replay The Washington Wizards suffered a humiliating defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers, falling 118-87. This loss underscores the gap between the two teams’ performance levels. (Bullets Forever)
Analysis Tari Eason and Amen Thompson’s defensive abilities are unmatched. (Defector)
News LeBron James is in one of the worst outside shooting slumps of his career. Is playing in all 82 games still doable? (ESPN)
Milestone The 4x NBA All-Star and 16 NBA season vet, Paul Millsap, announces retirement. (ESPN)
Ticket Booth
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Mavericks @ Wizards
Thursday, Dec. 05 | 7:00 PM | Capital One Arena (Washington, DC) | Get Tickets
Nuggets @ Wizards
Saturday, Dec. 07 | 7:00 PM | Capital One Arena (Washington, DC) | Get Tickets
Grizzlies @ Wizards
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 7:00 PM | Capital One Arena (Washington, DC) | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
