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Deni Avdija (9) and Rui Hachimura (8) — Photo retrieved from Bulletsforever.com via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards had a great weekend, beating both the Detroit Pistons (100-97) and the Golden State Warriors (123-115) on March 25th and 27th respectively. Though the Wizards’ two-game win streak came to an end on March 29th when they hosted the Chicago Bulls, each game highlighted the strengths of three Wizards stars: Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, and Rui Hachimura.
Avdija, drafted in 2020, was the first spark in a string of success for the Washington Wizards. He scored 21 points against the Pistons on March 25th – his career-high. His previous season-best was 19 points scored at home against the Denver Nuggets. In the first half at Detroit, Avdija scored 15 points.
When the Wizards returned to Capital One Arena and hosted Golden State on March 27th, Corey Kispert broke Bradley Beal’s record for most three-pointers scored as a rookie. Kispert scored his new career-high of 25 points against the Warriors on March 27th and has scored 96 three-pointers this season. With seven games left for Washington, Kispert has the potential to score 100 three-pointers by the time his rookie season ends.
Avdija is also on the leaderboard for most threes scored by a rookie, currently in fourth place with 53 three-pointers.
Rui Hachimura, drafted in 2019, carried the Wizards offensively against Demar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls on March 29th. He scored 21 points last night, shooting 80% from the field and making 66% of his free throw attempts. Hachimura led the Wizards in points scored and was one of the brighter aspects of the Wizards’ loss to the Bulls.
Photo retrieved from NBA.com
These three players, Kispert and Hachimura from the starting five and Avdija representing the bench, are emblematic of the potential that the Washington Wizards have. The regular season might be coming to an end, but promising displays from these three end the season on a hopeful note.
No one recognizes the potential in Washington more than Avdija himself, who said after the Bulls game that “we’re talking, that’s the most important.”
And one of the most beautiful plays of the night was this collaboration between Avdija and Hachimura.
The Washington Wizards host the Orlando Magic (25-56) tonight at Capital One Arena and host the Dallas Mavericks (47-29) on Friday, April 1.
