DENVER — The Washington Wizards pulled off a thrilling comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets, winning 126-123 on Saturday night, thanks to Jordan Poole's clutch 3-pointer with just 2.1 seconds remaining. This dramatic win took place at Ball Arena and marked yet another low point for the Nuggets, who have struggled lately.
Jordan Poole finished with 19 points, but it was Alex Sarr who shone brightest for Washington, leading the team with a career-high 34 points, alongside six rebounds and five assists. Sarr’s performance established him as the youngest player in franchise history to score more than 30 points in a single game, achieving this milestone at just 19 years old.
Despite the loss, Nikola Jokic delivered yet another exceptional performance for the Nuggets, scoring 40 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, nearly leading his team to victory. This marked his 14th game of the season with at least 30 points. Poole’s game-winning shot overshadowed Jokic's efforts and left the Nuggets fans disheartened.
The game was finely balanced throughout, with the Wizards battling back against the Nuggets' early lead. Denver got off to a hot start, leading 44-30 by the end of the first quarter, but Washington clawed back to tie the game at 95 heading to the final period.
With just seconds left on the clock, the energies of both teams ran high. Poole's jumper, taken just beyond the arc, came just moments after Kyshawn George had made another big three-pointer to put the Wizards up by two at 123-121. George finished the game with 19 points.
After George's shot, Jamal Murray answered back with his own jumper to tie the game at 123, setting the stage for Poole's eventual heroics. The finishing touches on the game showcased the determination of the Wizards as they showed resilience during the clutch moments. The Wizards’ victory improves their record to 15-51, highlighting their struggle this season yet demonstrating their potential when it matters most.
Russell Westbrook also made headlines as he surpassed 26,000 career points during the contest, becoming only the 21st player to hit this milestone and the second point guard to do so, following Oscar Robertson. He finished with 22 points and 11 assists but could not secure the win for Denver.
The Nuggets now stand with a record of 43-25 and have lost three of their last five games, raising questions about their consistency as they head toward the playoff season. Jokic's remarkable performance, including his 40 points on 53% shooting, continues to bolster his MVP candidacy, but all the accolades on the night weren't enough to lift his team to victory.
Next, the Wizards will head to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Monday night, March 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will look to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors to start off their four-game road streak on the same day, hoping to regain momentum and capitalize on their earlier successes this season.
For both teams, this matchup illuminated the highs and lows of the current NBA season as they jockey for playoff positioning and look for consistency on both ends of the court.