Every team needs a hero from time to time and the Wizards Jordan Poole was that guy on Thursday night.
The Washington Wizards had something to celebrate for one of the few times so far this season after a 113-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night inside Capital One Arena.
In a matchup of two of the league’s worst teams, the Wizards (5-23) defeated Charlotte (7-23) for the second consecutive week. However, it was not easy. Washington gave up a seemingly comfortable 21-point second-quarter lead but ultimately accomplished the mission in a back-and-forth affair in the final minute.
The Hornets led by the slimmest of margins and had Josh Green at the free throw line with 38.3 seconds left. With all the pressure on his shoulders, Green missed both free throws, and a tip-in by Wizards rookie Alex Sarr, who was the second pick in the draft, put Washington up 109-108 with 14.8 seconds remaining.
With the Wizards trailing by three points with seconds left in the game, Poole, who has big game experience, drilled a 3-pointer to carry the Wizards to a rare victory.
The Hornets had one last chance to tie or take the lead with the final possession, but Brandon Miller could not sink the shot. LaMelo Ball tried to tip in the rebound, but it would not fall.
The Hornets lost for the 14th time in 15 games.
Poole’s 3-pointer gave him a team-high 25 points on the night to lead the way. Bilal Coulibaly had 20 points in his return to the court after missing the team’s previous game against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sarr contributed15 of his own.
For the Hornets, Ball had another great game in a losing effort with a game-high 31 points while Miles Bridges had a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, cleaning the glass with Windex.
The Wizards return to the court on Saturday when they take on Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at home.
The Hornets host Lou Dort and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
