Wizards Snap 9-Game Skid Behind Sarr’s Monster Performance

It wasn’t just a win; it was an exhale. A collective, deep breath that had been held for weeks in the nation’s capital finally was released on Tuesday night. After stumbling through a brutal nine-game losing streak that tested the patience of the fanbase and the resolve of the locker room, the Washington Wizards found a way.

Behind a career night from sophomore sensation Alex Sarr, the Wizards clawed their way to a gritty 115-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at Capital One Arena. It wasn’t always pretty—rebuilding teams rarely paint masterpieces—but it was effective. And for a team desperate to see the win column tick up, effectiveness is all that matters.

Alex Sarr Takes Over in The Paint

If you’re looking for the face of this franchise’s future, look no further than Alex Sarr. The sophomore didn’t just play well; he dominated. Sarr poured in 29 points, ripped down 12 boards, and sent six shots back into the stands in a defensive display that had the home crowd buzzing.

It wasn’t just the stats, though. It was the timing. Every time Portland threatened to seize control, Sarr was there. He attempted a career-high 29 shots, a clear sign that the coaching staff is giving him the green light to be “the guy.” He responded by owning the paint against a massive Portland front line.

“I just wanted to be aggressive,” you could practically hear him saying through his play. “It’s been a tough stretch, but we showed what we’re capable of.”

The Fourth Quarter Rollercoaster

This game had more swings than a playground. Washington led comfortably at the half, 60-53, looking like they might cruise. But in the NBA, no lead is safe, especially for a young team learning how to close.

The Trail Blazers, fueled by Shaedon Sharpe’s electric 31-point night, came storming back. By the third quarter, the momentum had fully shifted to the visitors. Portland took a 104-100 lead late, and the “here we go again” feeling started to creep into the arena.

But this time, the Wizards didn’t fold.

They responded with an 8-0 run that changed everything. Bub Carrington, providing a massive spark off the bench, converted a clutch three-point play. Kyshawn George, who finished with 19 points, buried a three-pointer that felt like it sucked the air out of the Blazers’ bench. Suddenly, the energy was back. The swagger was back.

A Nail-Biting Finish

Even with the momentum shift, it came down to the wire. Leading 112-106, Washington watched Sharpe drain a three and then throw down a dunk to cut the lead to one. The tension was palpable. A single mistake could have extended the losing streak to ten.

But Kyshawn George stepped to the line and hit a massive free throw. Then, the defense—which Coach Brian Keefe had preached all night—stepped up. Sharpe missed a contested jumper, and veteran Khris Middleton calmly sank two free throws to ice the game.

Defensive Intensity Wins the Day

While Sarr’s offense will grab the headlines, the defensive effort was the unsung hero. The Wizards racked up 15 steals and 10 blocks. That’s 25 possessions where Portland came away empty-handed.

“This was a defensive win,” Keefe noted. He pointed to “42 disruptions”—a metric the team tracks that includes deflections and offensive fouls drawn. When you’re rebuilding, shots won’t always fall. But effort? That’s controllable. And on Tuesday, the Wizards controlled it beautifully.

The Rebounding Battle and Missed Opportunities

It wasn’t all perfect. The rebounding discrepancy was alarming. Portland absolutely mauled Washington on the glass, grabbing 69 rebounds to the Wizards’ 46. Donovan Clingan was a menace, hauling in 20 boards for the Blazers. Second-chance points kept Portland alive long after they should have been buried.

However, the Blazers were their own worst enemy at the charity stripe. You simply cannot shoot 13-of-23 (56.5%) from the free-throw line on the road and expect to win a close game. Those ten missed points were the difference between a flight home with a win and a long flight home, wondering “what if.”

What This Means for the Wizards

One win doesn’t fix a season, but it stabilizes a young core. But the story is Sarr. When your sophomore cornerstone plays like a seasoned All-Star, the future looks a lot brighter than the current record suggests.

The nine-game skid is history. Now, the Wizards look to Thursday night against Milwaukee, hoping to turn a “relief win” into a winning streak.