The Wizards seized control with a dominant third quarter and closed out a 95-79 win over the Hornets.
Washington beat Charlotte 95-79 after turning a first-quarter deficit into a commanding second-half lead. The Hornets took the opening quarter 26-22, but the Wizards answered 29-20 in the second to lead 51-46 at halftime. Washington broke the game open with a 28-13 third quarter, then protected its advantage despite Charlotte winning the fourth 20-16. Anthony Davis led the Wizards with 25 points on 8-for-18 shooting and 9-for-10 at the line, adding 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one turnover. Trae Young scored 21 on 4-for-9 shooting, including 1-for-5 from three, and made 12 of 14 free throws; he also had seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, one block and four turnovers. KyShawn George added 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting, including 4-for-8 from three, with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and two turnovers, while AJ Dybantsa scored 17 on 5-for-11 shooting and 6-for-7 at the line, with eight rebounds, one assist, two steals and one turnover. Brandon Miller paced Charlotte with 19 points on 7-for-24 shooting, including 3-for-13 from three, plus seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and two turnovers; Naz Reid added 12 points on 5-for-17 shooting, 11 rebounds, one assist, three steals and three turnovers.
Key Performers
Anthony Davis, Wizards: 25 PTS, 13 REB, 8-for-18 FG Trae Young, Wizards: 21 PTS, 9 AST, 12-for-14 FT Brandon Miller, Hornets: 19 PTS, 7 REB, 7-for-24 FG
Standings Impact
Washington entered at 2-3 and Charlotte at 3-2 in the supplied standings; the result puts both teams at 3-3.
DYMA Insight
The supplied power index listed Charlotte 14th and Washington 20th, but the Wizards authored the game’s defining stretch by outscoring the Hornets 28-13 in the third quarter.