Wizards, Hornets Face Off in Search of Momentum

The Washington Wizards haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but they have a shot at something rare—back-to-back wins. Coming off a surprising 105-103 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, Washington (7-41) looks to build on that success when they visit the Charlotte Hornets (10-39) on Monday night.

The win in Minnesota snapped a brutal 16-game losing streak for Washington, and it was only their second road victory of the season. Kyle Kuzma led the way with a season-high 31 points, and the Wizards held the Timberwolves to their lowest point total of the season.

Head coach Brian Keefe praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We have people who want to be competitive, who want to win. So they were thrilled.”

The challenge now? Winning two straight games—a feat Washington has only accomplished once this season, all the way back in late October.

Hornets Look to End Four-Game Skid

Charlotte, meanwhile, is searching for answers after letting a winnable game slip away in a 107-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The Hornets rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half and even took the lead in the final minute, but a late collapse sealed their fourth straight loss.

Despite the struggles, head coach Charles Lee remains upbeat.

“Love what we’re building, love the growth we continue to show,” Lee said. “We’re making progress.”

One bright spot for Charlotte was the return of center Mark Williams, who posted 20 points and 15 rebounds after missing two games with a foot injury. However, the backcourt depth took another hit as Vasilije Micic exited with an ankle injury. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) still sidelined, the Hornets may be shorthanded once again.

Key Matchup: Can Washington Maintain Defensive Intensity?

Washington’s defense has been its Achilles’ heel all season, but the win over Minnesota showed what happens when the Wizards lock in. They allowed a season-low 103 points, something they’ll need to replicate against a Hornets squad that has struggled offensively.

Charlotte won’t make things easy, especially with Williams back in the lineup and Terry Rozier continuing to provide scoring punch. The Hornets, though, will have to limit their late-game mistakes if they want to avoid another painful loss.

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Previous Meeting & What’s at Stake

These teams met once earlier this season, with the Wizards pulling off a 113-110 home win on Dec. 26. Jordan Poole led Washington with 25 points in that contest, though he has only reached that mark three times since.

Both squads are well out of the playoff picture, but each win counts toward building momentum and finding pieces for the future. With the trade deadline looming, this game could also be an opportunity for players to prove their worth.

Will the Wizards finally string together two wins, or will the Hornets defend their home court and snap their skid?