Washington Wizards ahead Kyle Kuzma dunks throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport towards the Indiana Pacers, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photograph/Stephanie Scarbrough)
WASHINGTON — Kyle Kuzma scored 31 factors, Jordan Poole added 30 and Tyus Jones had his second profession triple-double to assist the Washington Wizards snap a six-game dropping streak with a 137-123 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday evening.
The Wizards gained for under the second time of their final 17 video games, and the opposite victory in that span was towards a Detroit staff that’s now as much as 22 straight losses.
Poole equaled his season-high of 30 factors by the top of the third quarter, and he completed 12 of 18 from the sphere with eight assists. Jones, who additionally had a triple-double final season with Memphis, had 13 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
31 factors from @kylekuzma tonight. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xx1PhFj393
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 16, 2023
Corey Kispert added 23 factors for Washington.
Tyrese Haliburton had 19 factors and 11 assists for Indiana earlier than leaving with a left knee contusion. Coach Rick Carlisle mentioned his standing for Saturday evening’s sport is unsure. The Pacers appeared out of sync offensively after scoring 143 factors in its earlier assembly with Washington within the season opener in October.
The Pacers shot simply 45% from the sphere on this rematch whereas the Wizards completed at 57% and 13 of 27 from 3-point vary.
“Any individual has a triple-double, normally means persons are making photographs. JP had eight assists,” Kuzma mentioned. “The ball was popping. All people touched it and had alternatives to attain.”
Rebound quantity 10 & help quantity 10 for @1Tyus ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/lUQVpLKlOr
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 16, 2023
Washington trailed by eight within the second quarter earlier than happening a 15-0 run. The Wizards have been up 69-55 at halftime after outscoring Indiana 39-18 within the interval.
“We made loads of errors and we had turnovers. We missed photographs, we didn’t defend properly,” Carlisle mentioned. “It changed into a barrage within the second quarter. Not an entire lot higher within the third.”
The Wizards stayed in management the remainder of the best way. A reverse dunk on an alley-oop by Daniel Gafford made it 81-62, and Washington led by as many as 24 factors.
There haven’t been many constructive indicators for the Wizards this season, however rookie Bilal Coulibaly has proven promise of late. He scored 17 factors towards the Pacers, together with a one-handed dunk within the first quarter.
Indiana and Washington entered the sport ranked 1-2 within the NBA in tempo, however solely the Wizards have been capable of put up huge scoring numbers. Isaiah Jackson led the Pacers with 20 factors.
“We had an awesome focus, consideration to element on Haliburton tonight,” Kuzma mentioned. “Making an attempt to power him left, all around the ground.”
It’s been a busy month for Indiana, which went to Las Vegas for the ultimate two video games of the NBA In-Season Event, then had 4 extra video games away from residence on the schedule. The Pacers gained at Milwaukee and at Detroit, then misplaced at Milwaukee and to the Wizards. The journey has yet one more sport.
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“You suck it up, you make a bazillion {dollars} in per diem, and you’ve got enjoyable. You compete,” Carlisle mentioned. “It’s not rocket science. When you don’t prefer it, go do one thing else. I like it.”
UP NEXT
Pacers: At Minnesota on Saturday evening.
Wizards: At Phoenix on Sunday evening.