The Washington Wizards find themselves in the midst of another extended losing streak, but team officials are increasingly optimistic about the future.
The club brass will be looking for continued growth when the Wizards face the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Portland has dropped two in a row following a four-game winning streak. The Trail Blazers scored a season-low 37 points in the first half of a 102-94 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday.
The rebuilding Wizards turned in another encouraging outing before losing their ninth straight game on Saturday, falling 119-115 to the host Charlotte Hornets.
Washington’s starting lineup of Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington and Will Riley was the NBA’s youngest in average age (20.64 years) since the league began tracking that data in 1970-71.
George had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury. He is expected to play on Tuesday.
Johnson recorded career highs of 26 points and six assists in the Saturday loss for the Wizards, who dropped 14 in a row earlier this season. The 19-year-old rookie also made a career-high six 3-pointers.
“This guy has been in our gym, working on his craft,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “We know he can shoot and make plays for himself, but I’ve been really impressed with how he is involving his teammates.”
Keefe is 36-129 as an interim and permanent head coach with the Wizards, but Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger praised him for developing a young roster.
“I think Brian has done a remarkable job,” Winger said. “He’s built a culture of competitiveness, accountability, togetherness and joy. I’m very, very pleased with the job that Brian has done.”
Washington is set to begin a five-game homestand against a Portland team that trailed 32-11 at the end of the first quarter against Boston on Monday.
Jerami Grant finished with 19 points to lead the Trail Blazers, while Toumani Camara added 18.
Leading scorer Deni Avdija (26 points per game) missed his second straight game with a lower back strain, but he is expected to be available on Tuesday.
Rookie guard Caleb Love had 11 points in the loss to Boston and is averaging 15.4 points in 13 games this month.
“He’s really stepped up,” Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter said. “But what I’m most impressed with is the effort he has put in defensively. He doesn’t have the biggest wingspan or jump the highest, but he always puts in the effort.”
Love has scored in double figures in 17 of his past 18 games.
“I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunity,” said Love, who went undrafted out of Arizona last summer. “Until I get where I want to get — having my contract converted — I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But if I do get converted, it will definitely be a milestone that I’m going to be proud of, for sure.”
Portland swept the two-game season series against Washington last season and has won 10 of the past 13 meetings between the teams.
