Wizards top Hornets in preseason as Porzingis leaves with injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Washington Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets 116-107 in their third preseason game. Here are five takeaways from what went down…
Porzingis tweaked his ankle
Unfortunately, the Wizards now have another injury to monitor as Kristaps Porzingis rolled his left ankle on a play under the rim late in the first half, much like Corey Kispert did in Japan against the Warriors. Porzingis exited for the locker room immediately, though it was almost halftime anyways. And he didn’t return, but that may not mean much given it’s the preseason and there was no reason to push it. The Hornets made the same call with star LaMelo Ball, who also rolled his ankle in this game.
So, stay tuned for more information. Porzingis, though, was brilliant when he was on the floor. He had 20 points in the first half on 5-for-10 shooting, including 3-for-4 from three, all in 16 minutes. The Hornets had no answer for him. In that sense this game was a microcosm of him as a player; when he’s on the floor there is no questioning his talent, he just needs to stay healthy to reach his full potential.
Kristaps Porzingis is back in the locker room after rolling his ankle on this play 😖 pic.twitter.com/Hen5AwRfza
— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) October 11, 2022
Rotation questions remain
The Wizards played without Bradley Beal (non-COVID illness), Kispert (ankle sprain) and Deni Avdija (groin) in this one. Beal was cleared from health and safety protocols shortly before the game, but didn’t play due to him still being sick. Avdija, meanwhile, now only has one preseason game left to get going before the regular season begins. He hasn’t progressed beyond playing 3-on-3 in controlled practice situations.
The injury absences have left us on the outside with little to go off in terms of predicting their opening night starting lineup and rotation. While Anthony Gill started at the three against Charlotte, it seems likely Will Barton starts there alongside Kyle Kuzma and Porzingis in the frontcourt. But it remains a mystery as head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has yet to have a full roster to choose from in selecting his starting five.
3s fell early
The Wizards were dreadful from 3-point range in their first two preseason games, as they knocked down just 20.6% from deep, worst among NBA teams in the exhibition schedule so far. But they had a strong shooting day at practice on Friday and then carried that over on Monday against the Hornets, as they began the game hitting 6-of-7 from long range.
Not only were shots falling, they seemed to be the types of looks Unseld Jr. would prefer to see a lot more of. There were extra passes, drive-and-kicks and pick-and-pops; a lot of unselfishness and sharp execution. That, however, did not last as after starting 6-for-7, they went 6-for-24 the rest of the game. While the Hornets deserve credit for adjusting, the Wizards will have to work on sustaining what they showed they are capable of in the first half.
Barton’s passing
The Wizards’ ball movement was generally good in this game and Barton was a big standout in that regard. He showed some reminders of how he recorded more assists last season than any player on the Wizards’ roster. He may be known for his scoring, but Barton can also make plays for others and he showed that in a few different ways against Charlotte.
Barton had six assists and got going with a nifty bounce pass to Gill for an easy layup. Not long after, he drove into the middle and kicked it out to Porzingis for an open three. Later in the first half, Barton drew the defense near, then found Daniel Gafford for a big slam. Barton also showed off his ability to create shots off the dribble, including from 3-point range. The Wizards have a chance to trot out one of the league’s better offenses and Barton is among the reasons why.
Davis got one to go down
Wizards’ rookie Johnny Davis finally broke through on the offensive end with his first NBA basket in the preseason. It came in the second quarter, as he drove into the lane, holding off a defender with his left hand, to set up a floater off the glass. That may have been a sigh of relief given Davis began the preseason 0-for-13 from the field, a drought that spanned across three games.
Davis ended up with four points on 2-for-4 shooting in 15 minutes, the latter a bit surprising given the Wizards were missing so many wings. Maybe it had something to do with Davis missing two practices in recent days due to right knee tendinitis. Or, maybe it was another indication he’s unlikely to have a rotation role when the season begins. Davis played less than Jordan Goodwin (21 minutes), who is fighting for a two-way contract. Davis, though, can take solace in the path Kispert took as a rookie last season. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Also, Goodwin is looking more and more like an NBA player.
Here’s Wizards’ rookie Johnny Davis’ first NBA preseason basket. Must have felt good after he started out 0-for-13 across three games. pic.twitter.com/CTRhjCgMAW
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) October 10, 2022
