The Washington Wizards finally broke through on Saturday night, snapping a grueling 16-game losing streak with a 122-113 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Despite Nikola Jokic’s career-best 56 points in an awe-inspiring solo effort, it was Jordan Poole’s electric 39-point performance that stole the spotlight and handed Washington its first win since October 30.
Poole, finding his groove from beyond the arc, drilled a career-high nine three-pointers as part of Washington’s 16 total from deep. While Denver shot a dismal 5-for-24 from three-point range, the Wizards’ sharpshooting made the critical difference in a game that saw Jokic carry an injury-depleted Nuggets roster on his back.
Denver was without Jamal Murray (hamstring), Aaron Gordon (calf), and Dario Saric (ankle), leaving Jokic to shoulder an unprecedented workload. The reigning MVP took a staggering 38 shots—a career high—while also adding 16 rebounds and eight assists. Yet, without significant support, Jokic’s brilliance couldn’t rescue the Nuggets from their second loss in three games.
The Wizards, now 3-18, showed resilience after weeks of struggles. Their 16-game losing streak had tied a franchise record, but Poole’s career night and clutch contributions from Justin Champagnie lifted them to a much-needed win. Washington also dealt with its own share of absences, playing without Kyle Kuzma (rib) and rookie Alex Sarr (back).
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The Wizards surged to a 69-57 halftime lead, countering every attempt by Denver to close the gap. Even as Jokic erupted for 23 points in the third quarter, Washington stayed composed and entered the final period with a six-point cushion. The Nuggets made one last push, cutting the deficit to 108-95 when Jokic returned to the floor with 7:35 remaining, but Washington’s collective effort proved too much.
A pivotal moment came with just over a minute left in regulation. Champagnie, enjoying a career-best night of his own with 23 points, banked in a driving shot to extend the Wizards’ lead to 118-111, effectively sealing the game. Champagnie’s poise and timely scoring provided the perfect complement to Poole’s long-range heroics.
Jokic’s 56-point masterpiece was a historic effort, surpassing his previous career high of 50 points set in 2021 against Sacramento. However, the Nuggets’ lack of balance was glaring. While rookie Julian Strawther contributed 18 points off the bench, Denver’s supporting cast struggled to match the intensity and execution of the Wizards.
For Washington, the win marked a rare high point in an otherwise challenging season. Poole’s explosive scoring and leadership shone as the team rallied around him, and their ability to capitalize on Denver’s shooting woes highlighted their potential when things click.
Both teams will face quick turnarounds. Denver heads to Atlanta on Sunday, where they’ll hope to rebound with a healthier lineup. Meanwhile, Washington returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies, seeking to build on this long-awaited momentum.
Though the Wizards still sit at the bottom of the standings, Saturday’s win showcased a resilience that could provide hope moving forward. For Denver, the night served as a stark reminder of how critical depth is in a grueling NBA season, even when you have the best player on the planet delivering an all-time performance.
