WASHINGTON — Shaedon Sharpe delivered a standout performance, highlighted by a powerful one-handed slam, as the Portland Trail Blazers secured a 129-121 victory against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. This career-best 36-point game by Sharpe was instrumental in the win, marking one of the season's best dunks.
Sharpe displayed remarkable accuracy, shooting 13 of 26 from the floor and successfully converting all four of his free throws in the game's final minute. This consistency helped maintain the Trail Blazers' lead, which never fell below three points throughout the fourth quarter. Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson contributed significantly with 16 points each, aiding Portland's pursuit of the Western Conference's final play-in spot.
Jordan Poole led the scoring for the NBA's struggling Washington Wizards with 24 points, as the team attempted to achieve consecutive victories for the first time since early this month. Richaun Holmes added a career-high 20 points, and Corey Kispert also scored 20 points, showcasing commendable efforts despite the loss.
Trail Blazers: Former Wizards forward Deni Avdija exited early due to a left quadriceps injury after just six minutes on the court. Before his departure, he contributed five points, slightly below his season average of 14.8 points per game.
Wizards: Richaun Holmes impressed coach Brian Keefe with one of his best performances this season, shooting a flawless 7 of 7 from the field and 6 of 6 from the foul line, underscoring his potential as a starter.
Sharpe's electrifying second-quarter tomahawk slam will remain a memorable highlight for fans. After intercepting a pass from Justin Champagnie beyond the 3-point line, Sharpe took a single dribble before soaring above Champagnie. He executed a breathtaking dunk with such force that he tumbled to the ground, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The Trail Blazers dominated in field goal attempts, leading 101-83, and controlled the game early with a 57-41 advantage before halftime.
Trail Blazers: The team will face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, aiming to continue their momentum.
Wizards: The Washington Wizards will travel to play against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, seeking to bounce back from their recent defeat.
