With no sign of backing down, the Washington Wizards (21-26) stood their ground against the Golden State Warriors (45-4) last night. They contested shots and defended their backcourt in an old western-like standoff only to lose the battle in a point guard showdown at the Verizon Center.
The Wizards played the best they have all season long and this game was clearly driven by the energy in the stadium. It was a combination of the mystique of the reigning champions — the Warriors — and the defiance of D.C.’s home team to not be punked in any way by the golden boys at home. From the moment Washington tipped off, it was apparent that they were not going to let the Warriors have their way.
Point guard John Wall led the charge. He shot 17-of-25 and went three-for-three from three-point range. The former first-round pick was unstoppable and determined to not be out-done by Golden State’s Stephen Curry (point guard) and his crew. Wall, with his 27th double-double, carried the Wizards through some rough patches at times, elevating his game to a meteoric level.
There was some grandstanding but the Warriors were mainly all business, making shots from anywhere and going up by 15 points early in the first quarter. After Curry had his worst offensive game of the season Sunday against the N.Y. Knicks, he came into this game with something to prove. He went into a zone and led the way for his team, finishing 19-of-28 with 11 three-pointers, 51 total points (36 of those — a career-high — came before halftime), three steals and seven turnovers.
But even in the midst of a sudden burst of dominance from Golden State, the Wizards managed to keep the gap close, even coming within two points in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the Warriors extended their lead in a back-and-forth way with Wall and Curry hitting jumpers, three’s and attacking the holes.
The Wizards, still determined to fight for their R.E.S.P.E.C.T., would not lie down and take the Golden beat down.
Wizards guard Bradley Beal punched his way through by keeping the pressure deep and forcing turnovers. He finished up with 18 points. Center NeNe contested everything that came near him and made some good steals. Overall Washington was very clear in its message to Golden State: they were not going out in a blowout.
The Warriors had the lead for most of the game after going up by 15 points in the first quarter but Wall battled back scoring 13 points in the second quarter. Some pick-and-rolls by center Marcin Gortat helped to bring the Wizards within nine points. However, Golden State overshadowed the Wizards efforts and fought back with a few clever defensive moves and went ahead. Wall was hit with three personal fouls and a technical after complaining about a previous penalty called on him.
The Wizards were down by 14 points going into the half.
At the start of the third, Washington stepped up their game and came out with a burst of energy.
On a 19-7 run for Washington, they came within two points in the third quarter. Guard Garrett Temple and Wall were both switching off on guarding Curry.
Wall received a fourth foul in the third and had to sit out the rest of the quarter. A few sloppy turnovers by the Warriors allowed Washington to answer back but still were not enough. Golden State went on a 10-0 run extending their lead by 11 to close out the third quarter.
No matter what Golden State hit the Wizards with, the home team kept creeping back. Wizards guard Gary Neal hit back-to-back three’s, giving his team another opportunity to close the gap of six and forcing the Warriors to take a timeout.
Against the Warriors, Wall scored a season-high 41 points, logged 10 assists and had three rebounds.
Unfortunately, it was all not enough and Washington fell to the Warriors 134-121.
It might have been the Steph Curry show last night but he had a co-star… his name was John Wall.