Wizards Fall to Nets 131-122 as Defensive Struggles Overshadow Strong Offensive Performances
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog | October 13, 2026
Washington suffers its first preseason defeat despite 21 points from Kyshawn George and 19 from Bilal Coulibaly.
Brooklyn Nets
131
3-0
Final · Preseason
October 12, 2026
Washington Wizards
122
2-1
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Brooklyn | 36 | 37 | 30 | 28 | 131 |
| Washington | 32 | 40 | 22 | 28 | 122 |
Capital One Arena · Washington, D.C.
Yahoo Sports
+1
The Washington Wizards suffered their first loss of the 2026 NBA preseason Monday night, falling 131-122 to the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena. Washington entered the contest undefeated through its first two exhibition games but could not overcome Brooklyn’s efficient shooting and a decisive third-quarter run. Despite strong performances from several young players, the Wizards struggled defensively throughout the evening and allowed the Nets to shoot better than 56 percent from the field. The loss dropped Washington to 2-1 in preseason action while Brooklyn improved to 3-0.
Washington’s offense showed considerable promise during the opening half, particularly from Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson. George scored 18 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Coulibaly contributed 15 points and consistently attacked Brooklyn’s defense. Johnson provided one of the evening’s most impressive highlights, connecting on a long three-pointer after receiving a behind-the-back pass from Trae Young. However, the Nets maintained a narrow 73-72 advantage at halftime as Washington struggled to generate defensive stops.
Third-Quarter Collapse Proves Costly
The third quarter ultimately determined the outcome as Brooklyn outscored Washington 30-22 and established a nine-point advantage entering the final period. Young struggled with ball security during the closing minutes of the quarter, committing costly turnovers that helped Brooklyn produce a 15-2 scoring run. The Wizards also committed nine turnovers during the period, allowing the Nets to create additional scoring opportunities. Brooklyn entered the fourth quarter leading 103-94, putting Washington in a difficult position despite its productive first half.
Rookie AJ Dybantsa provided several encouraging moments during Washington’s third-quarter struggles. Dybantsa connected on his first three-pointer of the preseason and energized the crowd with a putback dunk and another finish in transition. His athleticism and offensive versatility continued to demonstrate why Washington has significant expectations for his development. Dybantsa finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in just over 25 minutes.
Washington attempted to rally during the fourth quarter behind a strong performance from Bub Carrington. The young guard scored 11 points in the final period and finished with 14 points while connecting on three of his four attempts from beyond the arc. However, Brooklyn answered Washington’s offensive production and matched the Wizards with 28 fourth-quarter points. The Nets maintained control down the stretch and secured the nine-point victory without allowing Washington to complete its comeback.
Bullets Forever
+1
George and Coulibaly Lead Washington
Washington’s leading scorers
| Player | Points | Other statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Kyshawn George | 21 | 4 AST, 3 STL |
| Bilal Coulibaly | 19 | 3 STL, 3 3PM |
| AJ Dybantsa | 14 | 4 REB, 3 AST |
| Bub Carrington | 14 | 3 3PM |
| Tre Johnson | 13 | 3 AST |
| Trae Young | 11 | 11 AST, 8 TO |
George delivered one of Washington’s most efficient offensive performances, finishing with 21 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. The forward converted all three of his three-point attempts and all six free throws while adding four assists and three steals. Coulibaly also impressed offensively, scoring 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and contributing three steals. Their performances provided encouraging evidence that Washington’s young perimeter players can contribute offensively while remaining active defensively.
Young recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists, but his eight turnovers significantly affected Washington’s offensive execution. The veteran guard made only one of his five field-goal attempts, although he converted all eight free throws. Alexandre Sarr finished with six points and nine rebounds, while Deandre Ayton contributed four points, seven rebounds and four assists. Washington received meaningful production from its younger players, but inconsistent ball security and limited interior scoring prevented the Wizards from capitalizing on their offensive opportunities.
SI
Brooklyn’s Balanced Offense Overwhelms Wizards
Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 22 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the field while adding four rebounds and two steals. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points off the bench, while Keon Ellis and Noah Clowney each finished with 15. Julius Randle provided 14 points and nine assists, helping Brooklyn maintain its offensive rhythm throughout the contest. The Nets received contributions throughout their rotation, making it difficult for Washington to focus its defensive attention on any individual scorer.
Brooklyn shot 46-of-81 from the field, compared with Washington’s 39-of-77 performance. Both teams connected on 17 three-pointers, but the Nets enjoyed a significant advantage on two-point attempts, converting 29 of 40 shots inside the arc. Washington shot an impressive 27-of-29 from the free-throw line and 17-of-36 from three-point range, demonstrating that its perimeter offense was not the primary concern. Instead, Brooklyn’s ability to generate efficient interior opportunities and capitalize on Washington’s turnovers proved decisive.
Sofascore
+1
What’s Next for Washington?
The Wizards will conclude their preseason schedule Friday, October 16, when they travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans. Washington will have several days to address its defensive execution, improve ball security and continue evaluating combinations within its rotation. The coaching staff should be encouraged by the offensive performances of George, Coulibaly, Carrington and Dybantsa, but the team must become more consistent at preventing easy baskets. Friday’s matchup provides another opportunity to establish better defensive habits before the regular season begins.
MSB Take
Washington’s 131-122 loss exposed some familiar concerns, particularly its inability to consistently defend the interior and protect the basketball. Allowing 131 points in a preseason contest is concerning, especially when the opponent shoots more than 70 percent on two-point attempts. Young’s eight turnovers also demonstrate that Washington still needs time to develop chemistry with its veteran point guard. The Wizards cannot expect to win consistently when their defensive mistakes cancel out such efficient perimeter shooting.
However, the development of George, Coulibaly and Dybantsa provides legitimate reasons for optimism heading into the regular season. George looked especially impressive, combining efficient scoring with active perimeter defense, while Coulibaly showed increased offensive confidence. Washington’s young roster has the talent to become an exciting offensive group, but defensive discipline will determine how competitive this team becomes. The Wizards should treat Monday’s defeat as an opportunity to identify and correct weaknesses rather than become overly concerned about a preseason result.
Research sources:
NBA official game summary
,
ESPN game recap
,
Sports Illustrated box score
,
Bullets Forever recap
and
Sportsnet highlights
.
