A Mirror Image of the 2021-22 Season Ends with Loss to Rockets
Washington ends the 2022/23 campaign with a narrow, 114-109, loss to the Rockets. The loss and the final game of the season occurred in front of Washington’s home fans, though it was a much quieter crowd than normal.
Coach Unseld Jr decided to not play Delon Wright or Daniel Gafford due to injuries despite both of them being on the active roster for the game. However, for much of the Wizards starters, which include Porzingis, Kuzma, Beal, Morris, and Avdija, weren’t even listed as active for the season finale.
The Wizards, though, didn’t sit everyone. Corey Kispert played, despite only 12 minutes, and continued his offensive tear. The second-year guard out of Gonzaga scored 18 points while shooting 6-8 from the field and 5-7 (71%) from three. Kispert has been lights-out from deep lately, shooting 41% from such range in his last 3 games.
With Washington missing the Playoffs and the Play-In, fans will have to wait until next season to see if Kispert is truly developing into a star within the team.
The other Wizard who saw a lot of time throughout the regular season, Jordan Goodwin, saw 30 minutes in the loss. In such time, he would lead the Wizards in scoring with 22 points, along with 2 steals, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Goodwin, who is only 24 years old, had his ups and downs over the course of the season but looked really promising several times. He should be on Wiz fan’s radars as a potential breakout player next season.
Washington had 4 other players reach double-digit points. Those players were Xavier Cooks, Johnny Davis, Kendrick Nunn, and Quenton Jackson.
Cooks finished not only with double-digit points but also double-digit rebounds after he hauled in 14 of them. He would also be a rim protector with two blocks.
However, Washington’s paint protection was virtually fictional after Houston scored over half their points in the paint. They would also outrebound Washington 51-49. This was a trend that was very evident over many of the 82 games the Wizards played.
A sweeter paint opened the door wide open for the rookie, Jabari Smith Jr., to eclipse the 20-point mark for the 12th time in his opening NBA campaign. He did so on 55% shooting from the field.
Smith Jr., though, was far from the only offensive option in their win. The Rockets saw all five starters and two bench players hit double-digits in points when the final buzzer sounded for the season.
The loss pushed the Wizards to a final record of 35 wins and 47 losses, which was good for 12th in the Eastern Conference. This record and position in the East were the exact same that they found themselves at after 82 games last season.
The next big date for the Wizards and their fans will be May 16, the draft lottery, to see where they will be selecting. As much as fans might want the 7’ 2’’ freak, Victor Wembanyama, Washington will be searching for the best fit for an attempt to make a postseason appearance next year.
