The Washington Wizards ran into a buzzsaw Saturday afternoon, falling to the Brooklyn Nets 127-113 on the road. And while the loss might quietly help their 2026 first-round draft positioning, it’s still a tough pill to swallow-especially coming off a win earlier in the week against Detroit. This one was over early, and the numbers tell the story.
Brooklyn came out firing and never really cooled off. The Nets shot north of 60% from the field in the first half, slicing through Washington’s defense with ease.
Meanwhile, the Wizards couldn’t buy a bucket, managing just 35% shooting before the break. That disparity created a gap too wide to close, and by halftime, the game was essentially decided.
Michael Porter Jr. did most of his damage early, pouring in 20 of his 23 points in the first half. He looked comfortable and in rhythm, hitting from multiple levels and setting the tone for Brooklyn’s offensive onslaught.
On the Wizards’ side, Justin Champagnie provided a rare bright spot. He dropped 17 of his 21 points in the first half, showing some real aggression and touch around the rim.
But outside of Champagnie, Washington struggled to get anything going offensively.
Will Riley ended up leading the Wizards in scoring with 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter when the outcome was already sealed. And while it’s easy to dismiss late-game production in a blowout, Riley’s performance shouldn’t be written off.
He’s one of Washington’s recent first-round picks, and these minutes matter. He looked confident, took smart shots, and made the most of the opportunity to develop in real game action.
Brooklyn, on the other hand, got contributions up and down the roster. Seven Nets players finished in double figures, a testament to how well the ball was moving and how balanced their attack was.
Day’Ron Sharpe was especially efficient, going 8-of-10 from the field for 19 points. He was a force inside, finishing plays with authority and giving the Wizards’ frontcourt all kinds of problems.
Now the Wizards head back home, where they’ll face the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
ET. It’ll be a quick turnaround, but also a chance to hit the reset button and show some growth against a tougher opponent.