Jordan Poole's 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds remaining lifted the Washington Wizards to a 113-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.
Hornets Wizards Basketball Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, center top, dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots a lay up as Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) reacts after a putback basket by forward Alexandre Sarr, front right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) has his shot blocked by Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) shoots the winning 3-point basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green, right, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) reacts after making the winning 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Hornets Wizards Basketball Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, front left, handles the ball as Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20) sets a pick against Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green, center, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jordan Poole’s 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds remaining lifted the Washington Wizards to a 113-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.
In a matchup of two of the league’s worst teams, the Wizards (5-23) beat Charlotte (7-23) for the second straight week. Washington blew a 21-point second-quarter lead but ultimately prevailed in a back-and-forth final minute.
The Hornets led by one and had Josh Green at the line with 38.3 seconds left. Green missed both free throws, and a tip-in by Wizards rookie Alex Sarr put Washington up 109-108 with 14.8 seconds remaining.
Charlotte took the lead back when Mark Williams dunked home an alley-oop pass from LaMelo Ball with 12.3 seconds to play, but after a Washington timeout, Poole made a step-back 3 from near the top of the key.
Brandon Miller missed a 3 at the other end for Charlotte, and Ball’s desperate attempt at a putback was unsuccessful. Justin Champagnie made a free throw with 1.6 seconds left for the Wizards to complete the scoring.
The Hornets lost for the 14th time in 15 games.
Poole finished with 25 points and Bilal Coulibaly had 20 for the Wizards.
Ball scored 31 for the Hornets.
Takeaways
Hornets: Charlotte got Miller back from a sprained ankle and rallied gamely after falling behind 68-47, but the missed free throws by Green proved costly.
Wizards: Washington refused to wilt after allowing a 19-4 run at the start of the fourth that put Charlotte ahead 106-100.
Key moment
Poole’s final shot was his fifth 3-pointer of the night in 15 attempts. The Wizards were able to get him pretty well isolated against Green at the top, and he was able to create enough space to shoot.
Key stat
The Wizards scored 24 points off 20 Charlotte turnovers.
Up next
Wizards host the first of two straight games against New York on Saturday, and Hornets host Oklahoma City.
