In their final home game of a long rebuilding season, the Washington Wizards (17-63, 12-38 Eastern Conference) were unable to overcome a second-half push from the Philadelphia 76ers (24-56, 15-35 Eastern Conference), falling 122-103 April 9 at Capital One Arena.
This loss marked yet another frustrating night for the Wizards, who dropped to 8-32 at home this season. The Sixers, however, successfully ended a seven-game road losing streak and secured their first win in 10 games behind guard Jeff Dowtin Jr., who led the 76ers with a career-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
The Wizards entered the night without guard Jordan Poole, who has led the team this season with 20.5 points per game, as well as Malcolm Brogdon, Bilal Coulibaly, Anthony Gill, Richaun Holmes, Corey Kispert and Khris Middleton. Meanwhile, the Sixers’ similarly extensive list of injuries included Joel Embiid, Paul George, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Wizards opened the game slowly, going several possessions without a score as the Sixers quickly gained a 7-0 lead. Rookie center Alex Sarr got Washington on the board with a pair of free throws, and a jumper from rookie forward Kyshawn George gave the Wizards their first field goal. Sarr added a fast-break dunk off a steal from forward Justin Champagnie as the Wizards began to find some rhythm as the first quarter wore on.
After trailing for much of the first quarter, a 3-pointer from guard A.J. Johnson, followed by a layup from guard Jaylen Martin, gave Washington its first lead of the game at 15-13 with just over five minutes remaining in the first. However, their lead didn’t last as 76ers center Adem Bona responded with a putback layup, followed by a pair of free throws from guard Quentin Grimes. A turnover by Colby Jones and a string of missed shots hindered the Wizards’ momentum late in the first, allowing Philadelphia to end the quarter ahead 25-23.
The second quarter began with Johnson picking up his second foul, followed by his third minutes later, forcing him to the bench — a blow for the Wizards’ perimeter defense. At the same time, Washington struggled from behind the arc, going 3-for-16 on first-half 3-pointers.
The most memorable moment of the quarter came from a heated exchange when 76ers forward Lonnie Walker IV was assessed a Flagrant I foul after shoving George, leading to a brief on-court altercation. George then hit one of the flagrant free throws and moments later added a layup, cutting the Wizards’ deficit to 3.
However, in a continuation of an unfortunate pattern for the Wizards, Philadelphia answered quickly. A series of scores from Dowtin Jr. and guard Jared Butler put the 76ers up 48-37 and forced a Wizards timeout with just over four minutes to go in the half.
Despite a last-minute burst from the Wizards, including 7 points from Jones in the final three minutes of the half, Washington headed into the locker room trailing Philadelphia 53-50. Forward Tristan Vukčević led the Wizards with 9 first-half points, while Walker IV led the Sixers with 12.
The third quarter belonged to Dowtin Jr., who went on an 11-2 run late in the period, hitting multiple threes and wearing down Washington’s perimeter defense.
Earlier in the quarter, a 3-pointer from guard Bub Carrington gave the Wizards a brief 2-point lead, but a Grimes three quickly put Philly back up 64-62 with seven and a half minutes remaining in the quarter. The Wizards trailed closely behind for the next four and a half minutes until Philadelphia took control. Dowtin hit back-to-back threes and a jumper, followed by his fourth three of the night after a Wizards turnover. A Grimes 3-pointer from 30 feet closed the quarter and the Sixers finished on a 15-3 run to enter the fourth up 89-79.
The fourth quarter was littered with fouls, including Johnson picking up his fourth and fifth within the span of 13 seconds, fouling out with over six minutes remaining. The Wizards briefly cut the Philadelphia lead to single digits with a 3-point play from Vukčević to start the quarter, but could not sustain any momentum.
Philadelphia then responded with offensive rebounds and transition scores, while Washington missed open looks. Dowtin Jr. and guard Ricky Council IV, who finished with 11 points, continued to drive the Sixers’ offense. Two free throws from Council IV gave Philadelphia its largest lead of the game — 116-93 with just under four minutes remaining — and Wizards fans began to stream toward the exits for the final time this season.
The Sixers dominated the boards, out-rebounding Washington 55-47, and retained a significant advantage in 3-point attempts, shooting 16-for-50 compared to the Wizards’ 10-for-33.
Despite the loss, Vukčević scored a career-high 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 7-of-9 from the line. Meanwhile, Sarr recorded his 100th block of the season, becoming just the third rookie in NBA history — alongside the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren — to record 100-plus blocks, 100-plus assists and 100-plus 3-pointers. Sarr finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal in 25 minutes played.
Though wins have been scarce for the Wizards this season, who will finish last in the Eastern Conference, developing their young core in Sarr, Carrington, George and Vukčević has been a silver lining. Carrington contributed 12 points and 6 assists, while George added 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting.
Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe said the team grew significantly throughout the season.
“We’ve seen progress with the group,” Keefe said in a postgame press conference. “You know, this young group is improving before our eyes, week to week, month to month. We still have a long way to go, and we know that.”
While the loss was not the farewell Wizards fans had hoped for, when asked about what they would say to the Wizards fanbase that has stuck with them through a tough season, Carrington and George said that the support has not gone unnoticed.
“We got y’all,” Carrington told The Hoya.
“Preciate y’all. Thanks for coming back,” George added.
