Man, it's getting rough out there for D.C. hoops fans. If you’re looking for the score of the Washington Wizards basketball game from Wednesday night, I’ve got the bad news: they dropped another one, this time 119-105 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Honestly, the final score actually makes it look a bit closer than it really was.
They were down by 24 at one point. In the first half.
It was ugly. Kawhi Leonard basically did whatever he wanted, dropping 33 points while James Harden chipped in 22. But look, if you just see the box score, you’re missing the actual drama that went down at Intuit Dome. The Wizards are currently 10-29 and sitting 14th in the East, and this game was a perfect microcosm of why they can’t seem to climb out of the basement.
The Ejection That Changed Everything
The biggest story wasn't just the losing streak, which is now at four games. It was Alex Sarr. Our rookie center got tossed with 1:45 left in the first half after picking up his second technical.
Losing your rim protector when you’re already struggling is basically a death sentence. Sarr had been playing decently, but once he was gone, the middle was a revolving door. Marvin Bagley III actually stepped up and played his best game in a minute—putting up 15 points and 11 boards in 27 minutes—but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding.
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Kyshawn George was the lone bright spot on offense. He put up 23 points, showing some real aggression that we haven't seen consistently. Khris Middleton added 17, though he’s clearly still trying to find his rhythm in this system. He’s averaging under 10 points a game this season, which is kind of wild considering what he used to do in Milwaukee.
Why the Trae Young Trade Haven't Helped Yet
If you missed the news from a few days ago, the Wizards made a massive splash by trading CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks for Trae Young.
Huge move, right?
Well, it would be if he could actually play. Trae is currently sidelined with MCL and quad injuries. Shams Charania reported that he won't even be re-evaluated until after the All-Star break in February. So, while the Wizards have their "face of the franchise," they’re effectively playing shorthanded while waiting for him to get healthy.
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Current Injury Headache
The roster is basically a walking infirmary right now. Check out who was missing or got hurt during the Clippers game:
- Bilal Coulibaly: Left the game with back tightness. He’s already ruled out for the next game.
- Tristan Vukcevic: Out with knee soreness.
- Cam Whitmore: Just devastating news here—he's out for the season with a venous condition.
- Khris Middleton: He’s playing, but on a strict injury management program for his knee. He won't even suit up for the game tonight against Sacramento.
Breaking Down the Recent Score of the Washington Wizards Basketball Game
If you've been following the last week of play, the trend is pretty clear. The defense is optional.
On January 7, they gave up 131 to the Sixers. Joel Embiid and Paul George combined for 51 points like it was a light scrimmage. Then they went to Phoenix on the 11th and got handled 112-93. Then the 128-107 loss to the Pelicans on the 9th.
Notice a pattern? They are getting blown out.
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The Wizards are currently allowing about 123 points per game. That is dead last—or close to it—in the league. When the score of the Washington Wizards basketball game ends up in the 100s, they almost always lose because their opponents are comfortably sitting in the 120s.
What to Watch for Against the Kings
They don't have time to lick their wounds. The Wizards are in Sacramento tonight (Friday, January 16) to face a Kings team that is smelling blood.
The tip-off is at 10:00 PM EST at the Golden 1 Center. If you're planning on staying up to watch, be prepared for a very thin rotation. With Coulibaly, Middleton, and Vukcevic all officially ruled out as of this afternoon, guys like Justin Champagnie and Anthony Gill are going to have to play heavy minutes.
It’s a "next man up" situation, but the "next men" are running out.
Actionable Steps for Wizards Fans
If you're tracking the team during this rebuild/retooling phase, here is how to stay sane:
- Focus on the Young Core: Stop looking at the final score and start looking at Kyshawn George's shot selection and Alex Sarr's defensive positioning. These are the wins that matter for 2027.
- Monitor the Trae Young Updates: The season doesn't "truly" start until Trae is on the floor. Follow beat writers like Josh Robbins for the most accurate timeline on his return.
- Check the Draft Standings: Honestly? With a 10-29 record, the Wizards are firmly in the hunt for a top-three pick again. Every loss is technically a win for their lottery odds.
- Adjust Your Expectations for the Road Trip: This West Coast swing is brutal. After Sacramento, they have to fly to Denver to play the Nuggets on Saturday. That is a back-to-back at altitude. Don't expect a miracle.
The score of the Washington Wizards basketball game might be disappointing right now, but the front office is clearly playing the long game. Whether that game ends in a playoff birth or another decade of rebuilding remains to be seen.