The Washington Wizards are no longer perfect in the preseason, falling to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday in a 131-122 affair at Capital One Arena.
Defense was optional in the first half. The Nets shot nearly 60% from the field in the first two quarters, with both teams making exactly 50% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George combined for eight triples before the break.
George led the way with 18 points on 5-for-6 shooting. Coulibaly came out aggressive offensively, scoring 15 points on a 6-for-7 clip. Johnson connected on a logo triple off a behind-the-back pass from Trae Young, as is customary. The Wizards trailed 73-72 at the half.
AJ Dybantsa shook off a shaky start with a stellar third quarter. He connected on his first triple of the preseason, threw down a putback dunk that got the bench off their seats, and also finished off a pick-six for another jam.
Trae Young seemed to be forcing things to close out the third. The All-Star guard gave up a few unforced turnovers, allowing Brooklyn to end the period on a 15-2 run. Washington entered the final quarter down 103-94.
The bench mob tried to work their magic again to end the game. Bub Carrington went off for 11 fourth-quarter points, but it wasn’t enough as Washington lost 131-122.
George paced the Wizards with 21 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, while Coulibaly finished with 19 points on a 7-for-11 clip. Dybantsa and Carrington tallied 14 points apiece.
The Wizards close out their preseason slate Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
