Alex Sarr delivered a breakout performance Tuesday night, scoring 29 points with 12 rebounds and six blocks to lift the Washington Wizards to a 115-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers and snap a nine-game losing streak.
The victory marked Washington’s first home win against Portland since Jan. 16, 2017.
The Wizards clung to a late lead in a tense finish. After Shaedon Sharpe drilled a 3-pointer to cut Washington’s advantage to 112-109, a Washington turnover led to a Sharpe dunk with 20.5 seconds left, trimming the margin to one. Kyshawn George made one of two free throws with 15.5 seconds remaining to push the lead to 113-111, and after Sharpe missed a contested jumper on Portland’s next possession, Khris Middleton sealed the win with two free throws.
Sharpe led Portland with 31 points, but the Trail Blazers couldn’t capitalize on a massive 69-46 rebounding edge and struggled at the foul line, going 13 of 23.
Sarr, the 7-foot-1 rookie, attempted a career-high 29 shots and made 11 of them in a showcase matchup against Portland center Donovan Clingan. The 7-foot-3 Clingan finished with 14 points and 20 rebounds, while former Wizard Deni Avdija added 17 points and 12 boards for the Blazers.
Washington led 60-53 at halftime, but Portland surged ahead 104-100 late before the Wizards responded with an 8-0 run. A three-point play by Bub Carrington and a 3-pointer from George gave Washington the lead for good.
Avdija and Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly both returned after missing time with back injuries. Portland finished with 29 offensive rebounds and outscored Washington 31-14 in second-chance points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.
Up next:
Trail Blazers: At New York on Friday night.
Wizards: Host Milwaukee on Thursday night.
