Franz Wagner's double-double not enough for Orlando to overcome Washington / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP Credit Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

Kyle Kuzma posted his fifth double-double of the month and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 12 points and 10 rebounds, leading the host Washington Wizards (22-20) to a 112-106 (33-16, 19-27, 32-29, 28-34) victory over the Orlando Magic (7-35) on Wednesday.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Kyle Kuzma Points 19 Accuracy 7-11 Rebounds 10 Assists 9

The Magic took their 10th consecutive loss while the Wizards won their third game in a row.

Kuzma continued his strong play in January -- and narrowly missed his first career triple-double -- finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The fifth-year veteran netted 12 points in the third quarter as the Wizards built an 84-72 lead.

Orlando closed within 99-94 on Cole Anthony's jumper with 4:49 left, but Kuzma drove the lane and found Montrezl Harrell along the baseline for a dunk at the 3:27 mark. Caldwell-Pope added six points in the final two minutes to secure Washington's first three-game winning streak since November.

Orlando has lost at least 10 consecutive regular-season games for the ninth time in franchise history. The Magic most recently had a double-digit skid in the 2014-15 season.

Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 17 points for Washington. Harrell finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, Raul Neto scored 15 points and Corey Kispert put up 11 points, going 3-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Anthony scored all 19 of his points in the second half, and he also wound up with 11 rebounds and nine assists. Terrence Ross added 17 points, Robin Lopez totaled 16 points and 11 rebounds, rookie Franz Wagner had 14 points and a career-high 10 assists and Gary Harris scored 14 points.

Bradley Beal, Washington's leading scorer, missed his second straight contest after returning to the league's health and safety protocol.

The Magic were without their top two centers as Wendell Carter Jr. sat out his third straight game due to a sore hamstring while Mo Bamba was sidelined with a sprained toe.

Center Thomas Bryant (six points in 12 minutes) made his season debut for Washington after tearing his left ACL in January 2021.

Washington made its first seven shot attempts, including three treys, and Caldwell-Pope's 3-pointer gave the Wizards an 18-8 lead midway through the opening quarter. Orlando started 0-for-9 from the field and trailed 52-43 at halftime.

Washington Wizards: Kyle Kuzma 19 (10 REB), Spencer Dinwiddie 17, Montrezl Harrell 16 (8 REB), Caldwell-Pope 12 (10 REB), Corey Kispert 11

Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony 19 (11 REB), Robin Lopez 16 (11 REB), Franz Wagner 14 (10 AST), Gary Harris 14, Chuma Okeke 10

Highlights

--Field Level Media

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.