The Philadelphia 76ers (30-51) snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 122-103 win over the Washington Wizards (17-63) on Wednesday, April 9, behind a career-high performance from Jeff Dowtin Jr. and a big second-half surge.
Dowtin, a Washington, D.C. native on a two-way contract, led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three. Lonnie Walker IV added 24 points, and the shorthanded Sixers — missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Jared McCain, and Andre Drummond — relied on aggressive perimeter shooting, attempting 50 threes and converting 18.
The game remained close through the first three quarters, with Philadelphia holding a 53-50 halftime edge. But the Sixers pulled away in the fourth, using a 12-3 run early in the period to build a double-digit lead and take control for good.
Tristan Vukcevic scored a career-best 24 points to lead the Wizards, who were without Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton, Corey Kispert, Bilal Coulibaly, and Malcolm Brogdon. Despite being available, Marcus Smart did not play.
The loss capped Washington’s home schedule at an NBA-worst 8-32, which included one loss in Mexico City. With the defeat, the Wizards locked in the Eastern Conference’s worst record and remain in contention with Utah for the league’s bottom spot.
The 76ers travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, April 11. The Wizards close their season on the road, beginning with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls that same night.
