<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-jordan-poole-alex-sarr-shushing-doubters');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Jordan Poole praises Alex Sarr for ‘shushing’ doubters');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jordan-Poole-praises-Alex-Sarr_16x9.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Jordan Poole praises Alex Sarr for ‘shushing’ doubters</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-28T00:58:30-07:00">March 28th, 12:58am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-28T13:31:19-07:00">March 28th, 1:31pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/wizards-news-alex-sarr-roasted-hideous-summer-league-game-numbers">Wizards rookie Alex Sarr was roasted</a> by basketball fans online after shooting 9-of-47 in Summer League, including a 0-for-15 performance. However, the 19-year-old <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-march-26-2025-edition" rel="noopener">is now third</a> in the NBA Rookie Ladder and has 19-plus points in eight of his last 13 outings. He also became the youngest center in NBA history to score 20 or more points in a game with no free throws in the 119-114 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-alex-sarr-pulls-off-historic-feat-in-win-vs-76ers">win vs. the Philadelphia 76ers</a> on Wednesday.</p><p>Jordan Poole described Sarr’s <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1905445617410678918" rel="noopener">growth after the</a> Wizards’ 162-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I asked Jordan Poole to describe the growth he’s seen from Alex Sarr this season. He said that the rookie is “getting more confident” the more he plays and credited him for “shushing the noise” from earlier in the season. <a href="https://t.co/5ccqk4iq11">pic.twitter.com/5ccqk4iq11</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1905445617410678918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I think he’s getting more comfortable throughout the course of the season. He’s getting more comfortable with the way we play, more comfortable with his game,” the second-year Wizard said. “I think he’s starting to figure out what he does that’s comfortable to him, that makes him a dominant player.”</p><p>Sarr’s scoring is night and day compared to the start of the season. The No. 2 overall pick averaged just eight points per game on 29.7 percent shooting (23.8 percent 3 PT) across 24.2 minutes in October but is posting 17.2 points on a 41.8 percent clip (36.4 percent 3 PT) across 27.6 minutes in March.</p><p>“I feel like we’ve just been playing really good basketball, team basketball,” Poole continued. “Everybody’s been on the court long enough to learn each other’s strengths. I think we got a really good chemistry going on on both sides of the ball. Credit to Alex for sticking with it and continuing to improve and shush a lot of the noise that we heard coming into the season.”</p><p>It was never smart to write off Sarr after a handful of rocky Summer League appearances, but the social media era is full of premature takes. Regardless, the French international is showing each game why he was drafted so high, as he’s averaging 20.3 points on 56 percent true shooting with 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over the last eight contests.</p><p>True shooting is an advanced stat that is calculated by dividing twice the sum of the players’ field goal attempts and 0.44 times their free throw attempts. It takes into account all types of shots and their respective values. For context, Dalton Knecht and Jaylen Wells lead all rookies at 59.3 and 56.1 percent, respectively.</p><p>Meanwhile, Sarr has maintained the other facets of his game. The seven-footer’s 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in March nearly match his season averages across the board (6.7, 2.3, 1.5). He’s second among rookies only to Donovan Clingan in rejections, who has 1.6, and his 13.1 points are also second only to Stephon Castle’s 14.2.</p><p>With that being said, it’s one thing for Sarr’s teammate and mentor to compliment him publically, but it’s another when a former Coach of the Year does it from outside the organization.</p><h2><b>Rick Carlisle showers Alex Sarr with praise</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jordan-Poole-praises-Alex-Sarr-2_16x9.jpg"><figcaption>© Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Pacers (43-30) head coach Rick Carlisle lauded Sarr’s <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1905386334102921718" rel="noopener">skill and personality</a> before Thursday’s game.</p><p>“He’s got a high ceiling. He’s tall, long, athletic, skilled, unafraid…He stretches the floor, shoots threes, and he can block shots,” the former NBA champion said. “And he plays with a real upbeat vibe. Very likeable player as you watch him.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said that Alex Sarr “has a high ceiling…He can stretch the floor, block shots. He has an upbeat vibe, very likable player…” <a href="https://t.co/ixFy10lE1F">pic.twitter.com/ixFy10lE1F</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1905386334102921718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Sarr proved Carlisle right on an otherwise <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-news-indiana-makes-franchise-history-win-vs-wizards">miserable night for Washington</a> (16-57), scoring a team-high 22 points (8-15 FG, 1-4 3 PT) with seven rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal in 28 minutes vs. Indiana.</p><p>That was just one day after notching 24 points (10-17 FG, 4-7 3 PT) with seven boards, two assists, two rejections, and one steal in the win over Philadelphia. The former NBL (Australian League) player also hit a <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1905064948918558894" rel="noopener">game-sealing fall-down shot</a> from close range in the final seconds.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">20-piece for the rook 🤩 </p><p>24 PTS 🔥 7 REB <a href="https://t.co/n9MgetQj2K">pic.twitter.com/n9MgetQj2K</a></p><p>— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1905064948918558894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Sarr’s ankle injury that kept him out for all but two games in February likely ruined his chances at the Rookie of the Year award, but he’s proven that he’s a promising piece with All-Star potential for the Wizards.</p><h2><b>More items</b></h2><p>In other news, Poole set a career-high for threes made in a season on Wednesday with 215, and is now at 219 after Thursday’s game. The Michigan alum’s previous best mark was 214 for the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23.</p><p>With nine games left, Poole’s also on pace to break Bradley Beal’s franchise record of 223, which he set in the 2016-17 campaign.</p><p>Poole is scorching from deep, as he went 4-of-8 against the Pacers, 4-of-7 against the 76ers, and 5-of-9 in Monday’s 112-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors. The 25-year-old is shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc in March and a career-best 37.9 percent this year.</p><p>Additionally, Bub Carrington broke the franchise rookie record for threes made in a season on Thursday with 113, passing Corey Kispert’s record of 112 from 2021-22. Earlier in March, the 19-year-old also became just the third player in NBA history with 250-plus assists and 100-plus three-pointers made before turning 20, joining Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic.</p><p>The Wizards’ record-breaking core is off on Friday before hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Jordan Poole praises Alex Sarr for ‘shushing’ doubters

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-alex-sarr-pulls-off-historic-feat-in-win-vs-76ers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Alex Sarr pulls off historic feat in win vs. 76ers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wizards-news-Alex-Sarr-pulls-off-historic-feat-in-win-vs.-76ers.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Alex Sarr pulls off historic feat in win vs. 76ers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-26T20:12:33-07:00">March 26th, 8:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-26T20:12:33-07:00">March 26th, 8:12pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-owner-ted-leonsis-admission-washington-rebuild">Washington Wizards may be one of the worst teams in the association</a> at the moment, but they are playing the long game, prioritizing the development of their young prospects over any short-term success. At the very least, it looks as though the Wizards hit on their three first-round picks in 2024, with Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Carlton Carrington all showing glimpses of being impactful players for the long run.</p><p>On Wednesday night, it was Sarr who led the Wizards and proved once again why many saw him as the best prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft class. He put up 24 points and seven rebounds and shot the ball efficiency from the field, making 10 of his 17 field-goal attempts on the night in a 119-114 Wizards win over the Philadelphia 76ers. And in so doing, Sarr <a href="https://x.com/StatMamba/status/1905067344054923341" rel="noopener">became the youngest center</a> in NBA history to score 20 or more points without getting to the foul line at least once, as pointed out by StatMamba on X (formerly Twitter).</p><p>Sarr is more of a finesse big man, as he’s not someone who plays with brute force in the paint. This is why the Wizards rookie can struggle with his efficiency at times. But when his shot is falling like it was on Wednesday, then the game becomes very easy for the 19-year-old rookie out of France.</p><p>The 19-year-old big man may not end up being the top player on a contending team, but when he comes into his own with age, he should be a crucial piece on a winning Wizards team. He can protect the rim well, as evidenced by his two blocks against the 76ers, and he provides so much utility on offense as a big man who can space the floor.</p><h2><b>Wizards are slowly and steadily assembling a nice young core</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wizards-Alex-Sarr.jpg"><figcaption>© Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>There have been plenty of growing pains for the Wizards throughout the 2024-25 season, but at the very least, they have acknowledged the need to rebuild the team from the ground up, which means putting together a young core that, while it may not lead to many wins at present, could grow into a sustainable contending outfit.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-alex-sarr-joins-bradley-beal-exclusive-club">Alex Sarr is a fearsome rim-protecting floor-spacer</a>, Kyshawn George is an all-around disruptor with a growing offensive game, and Carlton Carrington is a playmaker who also contributes in multiple facets of the ball. AJ Johnson, acquired in the Kyle Kuzma trade, is also earning his keep.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Alex Sarr pulls off historic feat in win vs. 76ers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-philly-rookie-justin-edwards-joins-jared-mccain-alex-sarr-impressive-feat');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers rookie joins Jared McCain, Alex Sarr, others with impressive feat');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/76ers-news-Philly-rookie-joins-Jared-McCain-Alex-Sarr-others-with-impressive-feat.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers rookie joins Jared McCain, Alex Sarr, others with impressive feat</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-21T19:28:40-07:00">March 21st, 7:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-21T19:28:40-07:00">March 21st, 7:28pm</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Jared McCain may not be in the lineup but the Philadelphia 76ers are getting some great production from another rookie. Justin Edwards, who went undrafted last summer, has quickly proved to be a keeper for the Sixers.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/76ers-news-adem-bona-joins-joel-embiid-franchise-history-books-win-vs-jazz" rel="noopener">Second-round pick Adem Bona has flashed his potential</a> throughout his rookie campaign and so has Edwards, who has been a regular starter when healthy for nearly two months now. In the 76ers’ 128-120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Edwards tied a career-high of 25 points and recorded a scoring streak that only a few rookies have reached this season.</p><p>Edwards has now scored <a href="https://x.com/SixersStats/status/1903258596143419481" rel="noopener">at least 18 points in three straight games</a>. According to the Sixers’ stat department, only McCain and Alex Sarr have scored at least 18 in more consecutive contests. McCain’s nine-game streak towers above the rest of his fellow newcomers, Sarr is in the midst of a five-game streak, Stephon Castle has put together a three-game streak thrice (and was two total points away from having an active five-game streak) and Kel’el Ware had a three-game streak earlier this season.</p><h2><b>Justin Edwards showcasing future potential with 76ers</b></h2><p>All of those players were top-20 picks, a stark contrast to Edwards, who started this season on a two-way deal after going through the 2024 NBA Draft without hearing his name.</p><p>Edwards, a 21-year-old Philadelphia native who played college ball at Kentucky, earned a starting spot as the 76ers started to deal with a hefty amount of injuries. Even when all the stars played, Edwards remained in the starting lineup with them. He almost certainly will be for the rest of the season.</p><p>The 76ers playing in low-stakes games for the rest of the season will only help Edwards’ development. Getting the chance to play extended minutes and see what works will help him going forward. Even if he fails, it only goes towards the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/76ers-non-cooper-flagg-2025-nba-draft-targets-watch-ncaa-tournament">Sixers’ chances of keeping their first-round pick</a>. In a lost season, Edwards is looking to be one of the biggest silver linings.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers rookie joins Jared McCain, Alex Sarr, others with impressive feat

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-kyshawn-george-lauds-alex-sarr-washington-rookies-jazz');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kyshawn George lauds Alex Sarr, Wizards rookies after showing out vs. Jazz');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kyshawn-George-lauds-Alex-Sarr-Washington-rookies-after-showing-out-vs.-Jazz.jpg"></figure><h1>Kyshawn George lauds Alex Sarr, Wizards rookies after showing out vs. Jazz</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-05T23:49:18-08:00">March 5th, 11:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-06T00:08:20-08:00">March 6th, 12:08am</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/wizards-news-kyshawn-george-jordan-poole-advice">Wizards’ youth movement</a> has never been more fun than it is right now. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/wizards-news-brian-keefe-no-1-priority-development-of-alex-sarr-washington-rookies">Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington combined</a> for 56 points, 17 rebounds, 15 assists, five steals, and five blocks in their 125-122 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, signaling a bright future in the District.</p><p>George, who led with 23 points (8-17 FG, 3-9 3 PT) and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, spoke on <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1897492269432725953" rel="noopener">how gratifying it is</a> to improve alongside his fellow rookies.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kyshawn George said that he, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington are “growing together” after combining for 56 points against the Jazz. George, who scored 23, said that there’s still “so much more I can show.” <a href="https://t.co/YzLXC7eGpM">pic.twitter.com/YzLXC7eGpM</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1897492269432725953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It’s just super fun. You just see the evolution day to day,” the 21-year-old said. “We work together every single day, we’re getting better together every single day. It’s super promising for the future.”</p><p>Washington is now 6-8 over its last 14 games, an impressive stretch for a 12-49 squad. The rookies are a big reason, as at least one has scored double-digit points in 12 straight contests. George’s progress is especially noticeable, as he’s shot 41 percent from deep since Feb. 5 after shooting 12.5 percent in October, 27.8 in November, 26.7 in December, and 31.5 in January.</p><p>However, the No. 24 overall pick isn’t satisfied.</p><p>“Definitely room for improvement. The numbers say I got better, but there’s so much more I can show, and be way more efficient,” he continued. “But I trust my work and I’m confident in my shot. If I’m open, I’m gonna let it fly.”</p><p>George continues to contribute across the board as well. The Miami alum led the Wizards with six defensive rebounds against the Jazz while adding two assists, a steal, and a block across 34 minutes. He also led with eight defensive boards in their 106-90 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday and eight assists in their 113-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.</p><p>That’s not bad for a late first-round pick who flew under the radar before the trade deadline this season. Unlike Sarr, Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly, George wasn’t named to the Rising Stars team, so he had the most to prove after the All-Star break. Luckily for Washington, the Swiss-Canadian international has stepped up.</p><h2><b>Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington impress Wizards’ Brian Keefe</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Wizards-Alex-Sarr.jpg"><figcaption>© Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Meanwhile, Sarr is back on track after playing just two games in February due to an ankle injury. The No. 2 overall pick scored 21 points (8-12 FG, 2-4 3 PT) with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal in 29 minutes against Utah (15-47). Washington head coach Brian Keefe likes how he’s looked.</p><p>“You see his versatility, right? I think that’s what we all have been impressed with, is his ability to do multiple things on the court,” he said. “Playmake, handle the ball, switch pick and rolls, be a rim protector, and then a floor spacer. He’s learned, he’s getting better, but he’s getting more consistent at things that he’s really strong at. We’re learning his game as we go, but we’re not gonna put a ceiling on Alex. We’re gonna continue to push him to expand because he’s got some unique skill sets.”</p><p>Sarr’s 66.7 field goal percentage was the Wizards’ highest despite being tied for their second-most shot attempts. It also tied for the seven-footer’s most efficient game yet, as he scored 18 points with the same clip in Washington’s 110-98 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 5. If he consistently makes over half his shots while maintaining his season averages of 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest for the rest of the season, he’ll re-enter Rookie of the Year conversations.</p><p>Additionally, Carrington has been just as impressive as Sarr and George. The No. 14 overall pick scored 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-3 3 PT) with a team-high nine assists on Wednesday. He also added two steals and two blocks in 34 minutes. This was the second straight game that he led Washington in dimes, as he had seven against Miami.</p><p>While Carrington’s shooting just 32.4 percent in March, he boasted a career-high 50 percent clip in February. Keefe talked up the Pitt alum after Friday’s practice.</p><p>“Bub’s been terrific. He’s been great all year,” he said. “One thing he does is, he’s one of the guys that helps us get into our offense well. He pushes the pace, gets the ball kicked ahead. And then we see his activity on the defensive end, his ability to rebound. He’s growing each month, so we’ve been really pleased with his development.”</p><p>Although the Jazz are also rebuilding, it’s a good sign that the Wizards’ rookies can already anchor a victory against another NBA team with Jordan Poole (elbow) out. They’re only just beginning, so imagine what they’ll do going forward as they keep improving.</p><h2><b>Justin Champagnie proves his worth</b></h2><p>Another storyline from Wednesday’s win was Champagnie’s quality effort. The 23-year-old led Washington’s bench with 17 points (5-9 FG, 4-7 3 PT) in his second game since signing a new four-year, $10 million contract on Sunday. He opened up about <a href="https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1897489164427284639" rel="noopener">what that deal means</a> for him and his family after Wednesday’s contest, via Monumental Sports Network’s Chase Hughes.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Justin Champagnie on getting his first NBA contract extension and what it means for his family. <a href="https://t.co/YITYvgMrcy">pic.twitter.com/YITYvgMrcy</a></p><p>— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1897489164427284639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It means a lot. Some people may look at it and be like ‘Oh, it’s not a crazy amount,’ but to me it is,” Champagnie admitted. “You know, me and my peoples, we don’t come from much. So being able to get this contract means a lot for my family as well. I wanna do so some things for them, ’cause without them I wouldn’t be here, and they played a big part in who I am today and getting me here. So shoutout to my family for sure.”</p><p>The journeyman took the hard route to get to where he is now, bouncing between the NBA and G League within the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat organizations before signing a two-way deal with Washington in 2024. After playing 15 games for the team last season, he permanently broke into its rotation in December, averaging 7.7 points on 50.4 percent shooting with 4.6 rebounds thus far.</p><p>While the rookies’ progress shows that the Wizards can develop their draft picks, Champagnie proves that they can nurture unheralded talent too.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kyshawn George lauds Alex Sarr, Wizards rookies after showing out vs. Jazz

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-bilal-coulibaly-bub-carrington-all-star-weekend-2');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington show out at All-Star Weekend');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alex-Sarr-Bilal-Coulibaly-and-Bub-Carrington-show-out-at-All-Star-Weekend.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington show out at All-Star Weekend</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-17T12:55:10-08:00">February 17th, 12:55pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-17T12:59:01-08:00">February 17th, 12:59pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Although the Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jordan-poole-bold-all-star-declaration-has-fans-laughing">Wizards didn’t have any All-Stars</a> this season, their three Rising Stars displayed the organization’s progress on the national stage. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-rising-stars-landmark-moment-rebuild">Sophomore guard Bilal Coulibaly</a>, No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, and No. 14 overall pick Bub Carrington each had their moments in the Castrol’s Rising Stars game on Friday, and Sarr also shined in Saturday’s Skills Challenge.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/article/bilal-coulibaly-alex-sarr-and-bub-carrington-take-in-nba-all-star-weekend" rel="noopener">latter youngster admitted</a> that Friday’s game went by quickly, via Monumental Sports Network’s Chase Hughes.</p><p>“It was fun,” Sarr said. “I wish it lasted longer, but it was still a pretty good experience… It was just very, very fast. Very fast-paced, the first team to 40 points. I feel like I didn’t have the time to really be nervous. I was just excited to be out there.”</p><p>The French international scored three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3 PT) with one rebound and one assist across 10 minutes for Team T in their 40-34 semifinal loss to Team C. His lone bucket was a catch-and-shoot three over 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey to cut Team T’s deficit to 36-32.</p><p>While Sarr is a defensive player, his ability to also bring the ball up and score from all three levels is what makes him a worthy building block for Washington’s future. Now, NBA fans who haven’t tuned into Wizards games yet this season saw a glimpse of those skills.</p><h2><b>All-Star Weekend a feel-good moment for young Wizards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Victor-Wembanyama-2.jpg"><figcaption>Scott Wachter-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Speaking of skills, Sarr and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher formed “Team Rooks” in the Skills Challenge. Sarr completed his series of passes, shots, and dribbles in 42.3 seconds, while his fellow rookie big man did it in 38.4. Unfortunately, they finished less than one second behind the “Team Cavaliers” duo of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in Round 1.</p><p>Regardless, Sarr holding his own against both Rising Stars and All-Stars like Mitchell and Victor Wembanyama in the Skills Challenge should only help his confidence moving forward.</p><p>Ditto for Coulibaly, who <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1890598301470200002" rel="noopener">delivered a one-hand slam</a> off a lob by Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">That's OUR Rising Star 🗣️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheDistrict</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Bilaal_6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bilaal_6</a> <a href="https://t.co/ynXQEn4tX2">pic.twitter.com/ynXQEn4tX2</a></p><p>— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1890598301470200002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“That was a good one,” the two-time Rising Star said. “I thought he didn’t see me at first. When he threw it, I was like ‘I’ve gotta put that one in.'”</p><p>Coulibaly finished with four points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3 PT) with three rebounds and one steal across 12 minutes for Team M in their 40-39 loss to Team G League. The 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist also shared the floor with Carrington, who registered five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3 PT) with four assists and one rebound in 10 minutes.</p><p>“The ball don’t ever stop bouncing for me,” the latter player said.</p><p>Carrington has a point, as he leads all rookies with 29.5 minutes per game this season. The 19-year-old deserved a vacation, but he still got more reps in ahead of Washington’s remaining 28 contests.</p><p>Meanwhile, Wizards guard Jaylen Nowell dropped a team-leading 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-6 3 PT) with one rebound, one assist, and one steal across just 10 minutes for Team EarnYourLeisure in their 36-32 loss to Team Braxton during Sunday’s G League Up Next Game Semifinal. Capital City Go-Go (Washington’s affiliate) forward Erik Stevenson added a steal in five minutes.</p><p>Finally, Wizards two-way forward Justin Champagnie tallied five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3 PT) with one rebound and one block across six minutes for Team Swish Cultures in their 35-34 win over Team StrictlyBball. However, the 23-year-old didn’t play in their 30-26 loss to Team Braxton in the Final.</p><p>Regardless, the fact that six players in Washington’s organization each had moments of glory amid All-Star festivities is a testament to its depth and development program as it rebuilds under a new regime.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington show out at All-Star Weekend

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-fans-want-jordan-poole-apology-alex-sarr-apology-forms-after-win-bulls');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards fans want Jordan Poole, Alex Sarr ‘apology forms’ after decisive win vs. Bulls');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Wizards-news-Washington-fans-want-Jordan-Poole-%E2%80%98apology-forms-after-decisive-win-vs-Bulls.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards fans want Jordan Poole, Alex Sarr ‘apology forms’ after decisive win vs. Bulls</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-01-02T21:42:02-08:00">January 2nd, 9:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-01-03T08:17:12-08:00">January 3rd, 8:17am</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Don’t look now, but the Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-corey-kispert-reveals-1-reason-kyle-kuzma-injury-return-helps">Wizards are 3-4 over their last seven</a> games after starting 3-21. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jordan-poole-cant-stand-alex-sarr-slander">Jordan Poole and Alex Sarr are both</a> big reasons why, and Wizards fans aren’t being shy about it on social media.</p><p>“<a href="https://x.com/Domo8186/status/1874640171322482768" rel="noopener">Who got the</a> Jordan Poole and Alex Sarr apology forms 😂” @Domo8186 tweeted.</p><p>“<a href="https://x.com/pointmadebball/status/1874662531501080653" rel="noopener">We gotta give</a> Jordan Poole his flowers,” Point Made Basketball said. “He’s not only averaging career highs in points [21.7], assists [4.9], 3P% [41], steals [1.7], and blocks [0.5], but he’s been an amazing vet. He’s taken the Wiz Kids under his wing, mentoring them while also playing the best ball of his life.”</p><p>“While yall <a href="https://x.com/HanBenet/status/1874905381732032842" rel="noopener">debating who better</a>, a reminder that Poole actually makes his team &amp; rooks better,” @HanBenet said. “No amount of stats will tell you that tho.”</p><p>“I’ve posted about it before, but if you aren’t on the Alex Sarr bandwagon, you might want to get your ticket soon,” Spotrac’s Keith Lee said as an addendum to the <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1874823695841239401" rel="noopener">rookie’s passing highlights</a> from Wednesday night. “Sarr is rapidly improving, especially as a playmaker.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I've posted about it before, but if you aren't on the Alex Sarr bandwagon, you might want to get your ticket soon. Sarr is rapidly improving, especially as a playmaker. <a href="https://t.co/isdCfO5t3J">pic.twitter.com/isdCfO5t3J</a></p><p>— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1874823695841239401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Sarr delivered yet another quality outing amid his recent hot streak in Wednesday’s 125-107 win over the Chicago Bulls, scoring 11 points (5-of-11 FG, 1-of-2 3Pt) with 10 rebounds and five assists across 25 minutes. The No. 2 overall pick continued his momentum after leading all rookies in points (13.8), three-pointers (2.2), and blocks (1.7) per game in December. He also led all Eastern Conference rookies with 6.3 boards per game.</p><p>Those numbers earned Sarr Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors, <a href="https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/alex-sarr-named-eastern-conference-rookie-of-the-month" rel="noopener">which was announced</a> on Thursday, via NBA.com. The French international is the first Wizard to win the award since Bradley Beal in January 2013, and is the 11th selection in franchise history.</p><p>While Sarr was slept on coming into the season after an uneven Summer League performance, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jordan-poole-not-happy-new-bench-role-vs-nuggets">Poole was left for dead</a> by national media and fans alike after getting benched last year. However, the former NBA champion picked up where he left off prior to missing two games with a hip injury, logging 30 points (10-of-21 FG, 6-of-13 3Pt) with three rebounds and two assists across 28 minutes against the Bulls. Now, <a href="https://x.com/NBAPR/status/1874878388026192043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1874878388026192043%7Ctwgr%5E0a4bd921ea498f94615200922eb378c673dd86b8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Fnews%2F2025-all-star-voting-first-results" rel="noopener">he’s eighth in</a> All-Star voting among Eastern Conference guards, via NBA PR.</p><p>More importantly, though, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jordan-poole-game-winner-hornets-incredible-malcom-brogdon-take">Poole’s setting an example of excellence</a> that will help accelerate Washington’s rebuild.</p><h2><b>Jordan Poole’s success, mentorship aids Wizards rookies</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jordan-Poole-Kyshawn-George-and-Jonas-Valanciunas.jpg"><figcaption>Geoff Burke-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>At this point, every knowledgeable fan knows that Poole’s risen to another level this year. The 25-year-old’s <a href="https://twitter.com/sorcierewaves/status/1875021106157150493" rel="noopener">post-game comments</a> about Washington’s rookies, though, show why he’s also the perfect leader for the team right now, via Wizards PR.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I would like to point out that this could definitely be applied to all of our lives as well. the answer is — it just takes TIME. to do anything. it will be awful in the beginning. and nothing, I mean NOTHING, is linear. everyone isn't the same, we all grow with our own pace <a href="https://t.co/zDtnFVAM7n">pic.twitter.com/zDtnFVAM7n</a></p><p>— sorcière folle szn 🔮🏄🏻‍♀️✨ (@sorcierewaves) <a href="https://twitter.com/sorcierewaves/status/1875021106157150493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I talk to Kyshawn [George] about this pretty often. Kyshawn’s an extremely high-level shooter, and I continuously tell them that I only shot 27% from three my first year,” Poole admitted. “I’m talking like, couldn’t throw a rock into the ocean. It made me better, it just takes time. It took me an entire year just to adjust to the line, adjust to the games, adjust to the physicality.”</p><p>George, who shot 40.8% from deep for Miami basketball last season, is shooting just 25.2% from downtown in the NBA thus far. However, the No. 24 overall pick has plenty of time to reach Poole’s current level of three-point shooting, especially when the former Golden State Warrior is there to mentor him daily.</p><p>“We’re guarding, we’re running, we play 82 games, we’re traveling, so it’s more so on the body,” Poole continued. “It just takes time to get acclimated to, and credit to our rookies for continuing to stick through it, not changing their game, not wavering in confidence. It’s a good opportunity for them to be out there and play through that as well.”</p><p>While George has started slow as he figures out the NBA game, Bub Carrington sports a 40.7% clip from the field thus far, with Wednesday’s outing his most efficient yet. The Baltimore native scored 11 points (4-of-5 FG, 3-of-3 3Pt) with four rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal across 31 minutes.</p><p>It’s one thing to be a talented rookie getting consistent minutes, and it’s another thing to have an accomplished veteran role model on top of that. Sarr, Carrington, and George are all in the best position they could ask for with Poole at their disposal.</p><p>Up next for the Wizards is a home-and-home set with the New Orleans Pelicans, which presents the perfect chance to get a win streak going. At 5-29, the Pelicans are the only team in the league with a worse record than Washington.</p><p>Additionally, Zion Williamson (hamstring) <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401705038/wizards-pelicans" rel="noopener">won’t play on</a> Friday in New Orleans, while Brandon Ingram (ankle) will be out for both games, via ESPN. Facing the worst team in the NBA without its two best players should end in a victory at the Smoothie King Center, which would end the Wizards’ 12-game road losing streak.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards fans want Jordan Poole, Alex Sarr ‘apology forms’ after decisive win vs. Bulls

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-1-wish-bilal-coulibaly-after-slam-vs-hornets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Alex Sarr reveals 1 wish for Bilal Coulibaly after electrifying slam vs. Hornets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Wizards-news-Alex-Sarr-reveals-1-wish-for-Bilal-Coulibaly-after-electrifying-slam-vs.-Hornets.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Alex Sarr reveals 1 wish for Bilal Coulibaly after electrifying slam vs. Hornets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T01:54:23-08:00">December 21st, 1:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T00:27:05-08:00">December 22nd, 12:27am</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Charlotte Hornets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nikola-jokic-career-high-performance-spoiled-with-nuggets-loss-to-wizards">Wizards had a landmark day</a> on Thursday, from start to finish. Not only did the organization release new renderings of upcoming renovations to Capital One Arena, but<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-bilal-coulibaly-receives-espn-honor-after-strong-start-season"> Bilal Coulibaly delivered one of the best</a> dunks of the young NBA season in the 123-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets.</p><p>However, No. 2-overall pick Alex Sarr<a href="https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1869957878448009414?s=46" rel="noopener"> is not satisfied,</a> via Monumental Sports Network’s Chase Hughes.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alex Sarr had a great view of Bilal Coulibaly’s alley oop tonight: “It was very spectacular. I want to see more of that.” <a href="https://t.co/mM0RwpY4vn">pic.twitter.com/mM0RwpY4vn</a></p><p>— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1869957878448009414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It was pretty crazy. I thought he was gonna miss it, like I was getting ready to go get a board, but it was wild,” the French international said. “He jumped really high, it was very spectacular. I want to see more of that.”</p><p>It makes sense that Sarr doubted Coulibaly while he was in midair, as the latter Frenchman jumped as high as Michael Jordan. Coulibaly, though, <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1869930937930092851" rel="noopener">emphatically finished the alley-oop</a> after Jordan Poole tossed the lob.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another look at Bilal Coulibaly getting ALL THE WAY up to finish the alley-oop dunk 🤯<a href="https://t.co/ubf5SfDX5x">pic.twitter.com/ubf5SfDX5x</a> <a href="https://t.co/2iAdYkAdAr">https://t.co/2iAdYkAdAr</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1869930937930092851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>While Sarr’s “want to see more” comment was light-hearted, it’s a good point to make. Thursday was the type of day the organization needs to have periodically as it rebuilds with a new front office, coaching staff, and roster. From NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcing that future All-Star Games will be held in Washington, to Coulibaly’s viral highlight, and to winning its fourth game of the season, the day was a doozy in the best way possible. However, the Wizards must continue the momentum.</p><p>Outside of the dunk, Coulibaly posted a decent stat line of 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, with seven rebounds and five assists. The second-year guard’s 2-of-7 clip from deep, though, leaves something to be desired, especially against a non-contending team like the Hornets.</p><p>Taking the good with the bad is what rebuilding is all about, though. While Sarr didn’t produce sexy highlights, for example, he delivered a well-rounded line of 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting (3-6 3Pt) with nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.</p><p>The blocks are par for the course with the seven-footer, but the efficient three-point shooting and assist numbers show that he’s growing in weaker areas of his game. He’s now shooting 37.8% from deep over his last 10 games, and it would be a revelation for Washington if he maintains that for the rest of the year.</p><p>While there’s still plenty of room to grow for both players, they deserve to celebrate whenever the trials and tribulations finally pay off in wins.</p><h2><b>Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards vets encouraged rookies during slump</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Wizards_-Bilal-Coulibaly-falling.jpg"><figcaption>© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Thursday’s victory brought Washington to 4-21 on the year, a game and a half behind the New Orleans Pelicans (5-23) at the very bottom of the NBA standings. While this season was always about development more than winning, it’s still hard to lose so much and stay invested, especially for young players.</p><p>Coulibaly, though, is in a unique position. The 20-year-old is still new himself, but he’s already<a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1868474602466455804" rel="noopener"> become a mentor</a> for the Wizards’ rookies, via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bilal Coulibaly says he and the vets talk to the rookies often through the losing streak to encourage them.</p><p>“In 5 years we’re gonna look back and be like, ‘Man, it was tough,’ and we’re gonna laugh about it.”</p><p>Says the rookies are mad with the slump, but learning. <a href="https://t.co/eXltbGarnQ">pic.twitter.com/eXltbGarnQ</a></p><p>— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1868474602466455804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“We’re trying to talk to them a lot, me, JP, all the vets,” Coulibaly said after Washington’s 112-98 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday.<br>“We’ve been through this last year. In five years we’re gonna look back and be like ‘Man it was tough,’ and we’re gonna laugh about it. Now, we’re just gonna stay with it. It’s tough, really, tough, but that’s how you get better.”</p><p>It’s one thing for veterans such as Poole, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jonas Valanciunas to take the young bucks under their wings, as they all have established track records and know everything there is to know about playing in the NBA.</p><p>Conversely, Coulibaly is still finding his way while also guiding Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George. Most second-year players wouldn’t have so much mentoring responsibility, but the fact that he produces on the court while also supporting three rookies through the toughest stretches imaginable is a good sign for the franchise.</p><p>“They’re mad because we’re losing a lot, and I get it, I’m mad too,” Coulibaly continued. “But we’re just not trying to show them that we’re mad, ’cause they gotta learn from us.”</p><p>Those frustrating moments are what makes days like Thursday so much sweeter. Building character during tough times isn’t just a cliche, it results in payoffs like glorious alley-oops and Sarr unexpectedly becoming a reliable three-point shooter so early in his career, despite being drafted as a defensive player.</p><p>Now, Washington must be consistent. The club has shown flashes recently, such as Thursday’s win, a hard-fought 115-105 loss to the 24-4 Cleveland Cavaliers on December 13th, and a 122-113 victory over the Denver Nuggets on the 7th. Once they deliver these types of performances in consecutive games, the Wizards will be in the best position they could’ve hoped for at this point.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Alex Sarr reveals 1 wish for Bilal Coulibaly after electrifying slam vs. Hornets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-fires-warning-washington-nikola-jokic-matchup-2');   ga('set', 'title', 'Alex Sarr fires ‘locked in’ warning to Wizards before Nikola Jokic matchup');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Wizards-news-Alex-Sarr-fires-locked-in-warning-to-Washington-before-Nikola-Jokic-matchup.jpg"></figure><h1>Alex Sarr fires ‘locked in’ warning to Wizards before Nikola Jokic matchup</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-06T12:43:02-08:00">December 6th, 12:43pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-06T12:43:02-08:00">December 6th, 12:43pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-alex-sarr-joins-bradley-beal-exclusive-club">Wizards rookie Alex Sarr</a> is off to a promising start, as he’s tied for seventh in the NBA with 1.9 blocks per game. However, the No. 2 overall pick will have his hands full guarding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nuggets-news-why-another-nikola-jokic-mvp-award-is-bad-for-the-nba-per-kevin-hart">three-time MVP Nikola Jokic</a> on Saturday night.</p><p>Sarr admitted that Washington <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1865104581132165158?s=46" rel="noopener">must be ‘locked in,</a>‘ as the Serbian international is known to wreck games.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alex Sarr mentions Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic as players he’s now faced that he watched growing up abroad. Also mentioned the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wizards</a> need to be “locked in” against three-time MVP Nikolai Jokic tomorrow night. <a href="https://t.co/yxkp9IZ3JA">pic.twitter.com/yxkp9IZ3JA</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1865104581132165158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It’s gonna be interesting. I think we all gotta be locked in,” Sarr said. “He’s good in the post, so it’s really important for me to do my work early and for us to be in good rotation spots.”</p><p>The French international admitted that he could learn plenty from “The Joker,” but he’s not in a studious mood.</p><p>“Probably a lot of stuff, but I’m going into the matchup competing,” Sarr continued.</p><p>Jokic has dominated as usual this season, ranking third in the league with 29.9 points per game, first with 13.4 rebounds, second with 10.4 assists, and 16th with a 55.9% shooting clip. Both Sarr and fellow big man Jonas Valanciunas will need to be at their best to deal with such a daunting assignment, especially because Washington is banged up. Corey Kispert, Kyshawn George, and Malcolm Brogdon, who all could play help defense on Jokic if healthy, are listed as game-time decisions against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.</p><p>Jokic is the latest in a long line of NBA stars that will go toe-to-toe with Sarr after he watched him growing up.</p><p>“Yeah, I watched a lot of players, honestly. Growing up, I used to watch a lot of NBA games,” the 19-year-old said. “I watched Kyrie [Irving], I watched Luka [Doncic], all those guys. It’s almost every night that we go up against a player I used to watch.”</p><p>With that being said, Sarr’s idols are now his rivals, and there’s no time to be sentimental when lining up against a future Hall-of-Famer.</p><h2><b>Alex Sarr has unusual amount of responsibility on Wizards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Victor-Wembanyama-2.jpg"><figcaption>Scott Wachter-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Sarr, who was brought in for his defense and rebounding prowess,<a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1865091122302709793" rel="noopener"> is performing up to</a> Washington head coach Brian Keefe’s standard.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wizards</a> head coach Brian Keefe commends Alex Sarr’s rim protection and offensive rebounding against the Mavericks. The No. 2 overall pick has 17 boards and four blocks over the last two games. <a href="https://t.co/IhQG3Ztrdi">pic.twitter.com/IhQG3Ztrdi</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1865091122302709793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I thought Alex did a pretty good job protecting the rim last night,” he said about Sarr’s outing in Thursday’s 137-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. “His plus-minus looked good when he was on the court, and I thought he found some offensive rebounds and rolls to the rim there in the second half. I thought his presence was pretty good.”</p><p>Indeed, the 7-footer’s eight rebounds were tied for the team lead, and his two blocks were business as usual, as he’s recorded a rejection in 19 of his 20 games played. His 6.3 rebounds per game are second on the Wizards only to Valanciunas.</p><p>Sarr’s scoring has been reliable as well, though, relative to his experience level. The former Australian League player is sixth among rookies with 10.6 points per game and 18th with a 38.3% clip from the field. That’s an encouraging sign for a player who wasn’t known for his offense coming into the league.</p><p>Playing professionally overseas is a legitimate way to prepare for the NBA, as players like Doncic have proven. Sarr is the latest example of that, and in his case, it’s impressive that he’s shouldering such a significant role right away. The benefit of starting on a rebuilding team like Washington is that it allows young players to get more playing time, and that can only mean good things for the defensive stalwart.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Alex Sarr fires ‘locked in’ warning to Wizards before Nikola Jokic matchup

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-joins-bradley-beal-exclusive-club');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Alex Sarr gets hype train going after joining Bradley Beal in exclusive club');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wizards-news-Alex-Sarr-gets-hype-train-going-after-joining-Bradley-Beal-in-exclusive-club.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Alex Sarr gets hype train going after joining Bradley Beal in exclusive club</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-26T22:07:23-08:00">November 26th, 10:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-26T22:07:47-08:00">November 26th, 10:07pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There have already been a few surprises in the NBA this season, most notably the combustion of the Philadelphia 76ers and the 8-10 start by the feisty Brooklyn Nets, but the campaign is unfortunately going as anticipated for the Washington Wizards (2-14). The beleaguered franchise is alone in last place with a 2-14 record, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-kyle-kuzma-makes-punched-face-admission-after-loss-pistons">suffering through</a> a 12-game losing streak. Alex Sarr is emitting some light amid the seemingly endless darkness, however.</p><p>The rookie center is growing more comfortable on the court by the night. He posted 20 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block while knocking down 4-of-5 attempts from 3-point range in a 127-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls. He made sure to give the home crowd in Capital One Arena something to smile about by displaying more promise and <a href="https://twitter.com/StatMamba/status/1861598921669099746" rel="noopener">etching his name in franchise history</a>.</p><p>Sarr joins three-time All-Star Bradley Beal and teammate Bilal Coulibaly as the only teenagers to record multiple 20-point games for the Wizards, per StatMamba. Calamity still awaits Washington and its fans, but the No. 2 overall pick is giving them a reason to believe that a turnaround may one day come.</p><h2><b>Can Alex Sarr eventually help end the Wizards’ misery?<br></b></h2><p>Sarr practically secured himself a spot on this team through <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-alex-sarr-breaks-silence-on-rejecting-atlanta-pre-draft-workout-request">his pre-draft actions</a> and is now determined to quickly become a building block of the next era of Wizards basketball. He was averaging 10.0 points on only 36 percent shooting ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup, but he is starting to find his way in The Association.</p><p>Alongside French countryman Coulibaly, Corey Kispert and fellow rookie Kyshawn George, the 19-year-old big man is looking to resuscitate the ailing franchise. If and when Kyle Kuzma (game-high 23 points against Bulls) and Jordan Poole are shipped out for more future assets, Alex Sarr should be asked to lead the Wizards.</p><p>But for now, his main <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-alex-sarr-confident-take-offensive-development">focus needs to be on development</a>. Although a milestone is nice, he and his teammates are starving for a win. They will try to secure one on Wednesday versus the incoming Los Angeles Clippers (11-8).</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards’ Alex Sarr gets hype train going after joining Bradley Beal in exclusive club

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-confident-take-offensive-development');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s confident take on offensive development');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Alex-Sarr-%E2%80%98feels-confident-about-offensive-performance-after-showing-flashes.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s confident take on offensive development</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-16T15:21:04-08:00">November 16th, 3:21pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-16T15:21:58-08:00">November 16th, 3:21pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-alex-sarr-defense-draws-jonas-valanciunas-best-league-admission">Wizards rookie Alex Sarr</a> is already an elite rim protector, as he’s tied for fourth in the NBA with 2.4 blocks per game thus far. However, the French international is also excited about his offensive game.</p><p>Sarr<a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1854275839422320711?s=46" rel="noopener"> gave a self-evaluation</a> for that side of the ball thus far at practice.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I asked Alex Sarr how he feels about his offensive game this far…he said he’s “improving every game” and “confident about it” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wizards</a> <a href="https://t.co/NChmoR0RfB">pic.twitter.com/NChmoR0RfB</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1854275839422320711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I feel like I’m improving every game, finding my spots, learning where to attack, so I’m pretty confident about it,” he said.</p><p>Sarr has 10.5 points per game on 36.5% shooting this year with 2.2 assists, including a 21.2% clip from beyond the arc and 71.4% from the charity stripe. The No. 2 overall pick scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting (3-4 3pt) in Friday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-brian-keefe-no-1-priority-development-of-alex-sarr-washington-rookies">Sarr was primarily drafted for his defense</a>, and he’s been up to the task on that side of the ball. In addition to his blocking prowess, the 19-year old has recorded a steal in seven of his 11 games played thus far, peaking with three swipes against the Hawks on Friday.</p><p>If Sarr can develop into an upper-echelon scoring big man as well, though, he’ll be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.</p><h2><b>Wizards couldn’t have hoped for a better start by Alex Sarr</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dribbles-around-Washington-Wizards-forward-Alex-Sarr-12.jpg"><figcaption>© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Although the season is still young, Sarr has already improved his shooting efficiency. The seven-foot, 205-pounder shot 29.7% from the field in October, but has a 39.7% mark thus far in November.</p><p>Wizards head coach Brian Keefe gushed over Sarr’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YXsFsu5ytg" rel="noopener">effort against the</a> Hawks, via the team’s YouTube channel.</p><figure class="op-interactive"></figure><p>“I think one of the things that was great about Alex was his activity,” Keefe said. “Steals, blocked shots, offensive rebounding. Sometimes that just leads to you getting some good shots.”</p><p>In addition to his 20 points and four steals, Sarr also had seven rebounds, two assists, and three blocks across 31 minutes. It was not only the lottery pick’s best outing of his young career, but it was an early example of his potential to impact the game in multiple ways, even when he doesn’t shoot the lights out every night.</p><p>“I think the one thing that’s great about Alex is that he does not waver and he has never wavered since I’ve been around him,” Keefe continued. “He continues to play, he continues to compete. Shot doesn’t go in, it doesn’t affect how he plays on the other end. This is a guy who can move on to the next possession. It’s really mature for someone his age to be able to do that. It’s a great quality that he has.”</p><p>It’s easy for young players to be sheepish when they don’t always light up the scoreboard. However, thanks to his confidence and dedication, Sarr has still been an effective rebounder and defender even when the shots haven’t fallen. As a result, he’s able to have nights like he did on Friday.</p><p>“You got to keep shooting at the end of the day,” Sarr said. “I feel like you just got to stay confident in your game.”</p><p>Any player drafted as a lottery pick has talent in spades, but what separates the best ones is their mental fortitude. Sarr has already shown the ability to bounce back from nights like Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs, when he made just two of nine shots as superstar big man Victor Wembanyama registered his first career 50-point game.</p><p>Washington may be struggling at 2-9, but these flashes from young players like Sarr show that the rebuild is right on schedule.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s confident take on offensive development

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/hawks-news-zaccharie-risacher-embarrasses-alex-sarr-battle-top-2-nba-draft-picks');   ga('set', 'title', 'Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher embarrasses Alex Sarr in battle of top 2 NBA Draft picks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Zaccharie-Risacher-embarrasses-Alex-Sarr-in-battle-of-top-2-NBA-Draft-picks.jpg"></figure><h1>Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher embarrasses Alex Sarr in battle of top 2 NBA Draft picks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-30T19:31:09-07:00">October 30th, 7:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-30T19:31:09-07:00">October 30th, 7:31pm</time><address><a>Michael Aaron Gomez</a>Michael Aaron Gomez is a creative writer and longtime NBA fan. He has been a fan of the Lakers since the three-peat but believes LeBron James is the greatest player of all time.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington Wizards swept their home-and-home series against the Atlanta Hawks, 133-120, on Wednesday behind a career-high 27 points from Bilal Coulibaly and a massive 16-4 run to begin the fourth period. Despite Trae Young’s 35 points and 15 assists, the shorthanded Hawks didn’t have enough gas to take the game when it mattered. Still, at least Hawks rookie and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-2024-nba-draft-grade-for-zaccharie-risacher">No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher</a> got one over on Wizards rookie and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-2024-nba-draft-grades-every-pick">No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr</a> with a filthy up-and-under move in the first quarter.</p><p>Check out Risacher’s filthy post move against Sarr in this clip shared by ClutchPoints on X, formerly Twitter.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Zaccharie Risacher with the SMOOTH pivot on Alex Sarr for the bucket 🔥<a href="https://t.co/ZukEHP7Zou">pic.twitter.com/ZukEHP7Zou</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1851770554711171094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Wizards def. Hawks despite Young’s big night</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Zaccharie-Risacher-shooting-over-a-defender.jpg"><figcaption>© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Hawks were without defensive guard Dyson Daniels and sharpshooter <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-bogdan-bogdanovic-out-four-weeks">Bogdan Bogdanovic, out with a hamstring injury</a> for at least four weeks. Moreover, wingman De’Andre Hunter also missed the game with a knee issue.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Wizards played without one of their best players, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-kyle-kuzma-out-hawks-groin-strain">Kyle Kuzma, out with a right groin strain</a>. Despite the injuries, Young had a big night and helped his team outscore the Wiz in the first half, while Jalen Johnson exploded for 21 points and 17 rebounds on 9-21 shooting.</p><p>Young didn’t shoot the ball well, going only 12-28 from the field and 4-13 from the three-point line, but he received some support from Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher, who poured in 17 points for the Hawks.</p><p>However, turnovers in the third quarter caught up to the Hawks and gave the Wizards easy points, giving them enough momentum to break the game open in the fourth.</p><p>“I think <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2024/10/29/24282560/jalen-johnson-atlanta-hawks-washington-wizards-quotes-video-analysis" rel="noopener">we were battling fatigue</a>, is the best thing I could say,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said, via Graham Chapple for Peach Tree Hoops. “They were set in their defense, we were playing set defense a lot. Their length bothered us some.”</p><p>Likewise, Young lamented the injuries that depleted their roster for the game.</p><p>“It’s not great, it’s not fun. Obviously, I wish my team was full and healthy,” the All-Star guard said. “Wish I could have everybody out there with me…but they’re not and we’ve got to figure it out.”</p><p>Ultimately, the battle of the top rookies ended in Zaccharie Risacher’s favor, as Alex Sarr scored only 11 points on 3-9 shooting.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher embarrasses Alex Sarr in battle of top 2 NBA Draft picks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-alex-sarr-defense-draws-jonas-valanciunas-best-league-admission');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s defense draws Jonas Valanciunas ‘best in the league’ admission');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Wizards-news-Alex-Sarrs-defense-draws-Jonas-Valanciunas-best-in-the-league-admission.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s defense draws Jonas Valanciunas ‘best in the league’ admission</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-26T14:22:59-07:00">October 26th, 2:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-26T14:22:59-07:00">October 26th, 2:22pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jordan-poole-cant-stand-alex-sarr-slander">Wizards No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr</a> didn’t stuff the stat sheet in Thursday night’s 122-102 loss to the Boston Celtics, but he showed flashes of the exciting potential that made him a top prospect. Veteran big man <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-jonas-valanciunas-drops-alex-sarr-truth-bomb-stopping-celtics">Jonas Valanciunas already thinks</a> that the French international is one of the league’s best rim protectors.</p><p>Valanciunas said that Sarr <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849875741917302865?s=46" rel="noopener">knows how to</a> “read the game.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I asked Jonas Valanciunas what he thought of Alex Sarr’s defensive performance against the Celtics. He said Sarr’s shot blocking ability is “one of the best in the league.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wizards</a> <a href="https://t.co/6aJMjDFPoE">pic.twitter.com/6aJMjDFPoE</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849875741917302865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“His shot-blocking ability is one of the best in the league. He’s still a young player, still growing, still learning, you know, in the gym all the time,” the 32-year-old said. “You know, shot-blocking is about reading the game, you know, about the sense. He’s got that, and he’s going up from there.”</p><p>Sarr had two blocks and four defensive rebounds across 22 minutes against the defending champion Celtics, while also guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the perimeter. The 19-year-old’s next test comes against Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley on Saturday night, a big man who can handle the ball and score on all three levels.</p><p>However, Valanciunas will be there to help when needed. Washington’s pair of a promising rookie and a grizzled veteran at the four and five spots balances fresh legs with experience and high basketball IQ, something that’ll benefit both Sarr’s development and the team’s defense as a whole.</p><p>Valanciunas hit the ground running on Thursday, scoring 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting with five rebounds and two assists across 20 minutes off the bench. Washington went with a small starting lineup, using three guards with Kyle Kuzma at power forward and Sarr at center. However, with the Cavaliers’ big-man duo of Mobley and Jarrett Allen, expect Valanciunas to get more minutes.</p><h2><b>Jonas Valanciunas is a vital piece for Wizards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Karl-Anthony-Town-goes-for-a-dunk.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Valanciunas is not only a valuable rim protector, but his screen-setting on offense helps generate open looks for his teammates. The 6-foot-11, 265-pounder is essentially a brick wall for whoever he’s screening for.</p><p>Second-year shooting guard Bilal Coulibaly loves having Valanciunas<a href="https://x.com/bijan_todd/status/1849130931489038587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1849130931489038587%7Ctwgr%5Ed88eee469a1e8b0e797d13de04f16dad9cd7a604%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwp.clutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D3093022action%3Dedit" rel="noopener"> at his disposal,</a> via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bilal Coulibaly LOVES playing with Jonas Valanciunas.</p><p>“He’s a force. Whenever he sets a screen for me, I feel like I’m wide open right after.” <a href="https://t.co/GpQbfEtLHq">pic.twitter.com/GpQbfEtLHq</a></p><p>— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1849130931489038587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Oh, he’s a force, like whenever he sets a screen for me, I feel like I’m wide-open right after,” the French international said. “Whenever he sets a screen to me, I’m like damn, I can’t get over it. So yeah, he’s a force…”</p><p>Coulibaly is one of several young Wizards still finding his way in the NBA, so having a big man like Valanciunas to help him get open is an invaluable asset. The 20-year-old struggled to find open looks against Boston, scoring just eight points on 1-for-2 shooting across 30 minutes, although he did have six rebounds and six assists.</p><p>However, Valanciunas’ role isn’t all about helping his teammates develop. The Lithuanian international must also produce individually for Washington to find success, especially against tough matchups like Allen on Saturday night. The 6-foot-9, 243-pounder already has five blocks through just two games and is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors.</p><p>Valanciunas, though, is a good bet to be an efficient shooter around the rim and a dependable rebounder. The 2011 fifth-overall pick averaged 12.2 points on 55.9% shooting with 8.8 rebounds across 23.5 minutes per game for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Having such a high-percentage shooter provides a good safety net for a Wizards offense which often has peaks and valleys.</p><p>Valanciunas may not be around for the end of Washington’s rebuild, but there’s no question that he’s one of its most important helping hands at the moment.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wizards rookie Alex Sarr’s defense draws Jonas Valanciunas ‘best in the league’ admission

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-jordan-poole-cant-stand-alex-sarr-slander');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Wizards’ Jordan Poole can’t stand Alex Sarr ‘slander’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Wizards-news-Why-Jordan-Poole-cant-stand-Alex-Sarr-slander.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Wizards’ Jordan Poole can’t stand Alex Sarr ‘slander’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-24T22:51:25-07:00">October 24th, 10:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-24T22:51:25-07:00">October 24th, 10:51pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Washington <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-alex-sarr-roasted-hideous-summer-league-game-numbers">Wizards rookie Alex Sarr was criticized</a> for his shooting woes in NBA Summer League, and the naysayers may get louder now that he shot 1-for-7 against the Boston Celtics in his NBA debut on Thursday night. However, veteran point guard Jordan Poole won’t have it.</p><p>Poole <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1848800766015787286?s=46" rel="noopener">discussed his distaste</a> for Sarr slander at Tuesday’s practice, via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Interesting quote from Jordan Poole on Alex Sarr.</p><p>Noted that “everybody was slandering him” coming out of Summer League, but he looked way better the instant he started meshing with vets.</p><p>“Our job [as vets] is to make the game easier for you.” <a href="https://t.co/Kpv00yHegX">pic.twitter.com/Kpv00yHegX</a></p><p>— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1848800766015787286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Something that I told him earlier, it’s funny because right when he got to the league everybody was slandering him talking about his Summer League performances, blah, blah, blah,” Poole said. “I was telling him that when you get on the court with other NBA guys and guys on your team, our job is to make the game easier for you.”</p><p>With Sarr being just 19 years old, it’ll take time for him to adjust to the top level, especially against an elite <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/wizards-news-brian-keefe-plans-emulate-celtics-success-rebuild">opponent like the Celtics</a>. However, veterans like Poole, Jonas Valanciunas, and Kyle Kuzma will help guide him through the storm.</p><p>Eventually, Sarr will be able to take advantage when said veterans have hot shooting nights, as defenses will eventually key in on stopping those players, thus creating more open looks for the rookie. In Thursday’s case, it was Poole’s show, as the former Golden State Warrior registered 26 points on 9-17 shooting, including 17 in the first quarter.</p><p>Poole explained how he’ll help Sarr settle into the offense.</p><p>“I think in the Toronto [Raptors] game when we played, you kinda saw the same thing, if you’re in ball screens with me, teams are gonna chase over, and a lot of the bigs are gonna press up heavy, so you’ll have opportunities to get your catch-and-shoots in the pocket, get your catch-and-shoots on the three and also get out in transition ’cause he’s mobile, he can run, he’s athletic,” Poole continued.</p><p>“He’s been good, he’s asking a lot of questions. I think he’s getting more comfortable playing multiple positions. I’m really excited for him…”</p><p>Poole isn’t only excited about Sarr, though.</p><h2><b>Jordan Poole praised Wizards rookies after Celtics loss</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jrue-Holiday-and-Derrick-White.jpg"><figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Fellow Washington rookie Bub Carrington was a talking point after the game. The Pitt alum showed flashes, recording two blocks and playing tight defense on Jrue Holiday before going down with an ankle sprain.</p><p>Poole<a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1849645575567716848" rel="noopener"> discussed how proud he was</a> of Carrington and the unit as a whole, via Todd.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jordan Poole loves what he’s been seeing from the Wizards’ rookies and gave some long, thoughtful answers on them.</p><p>Some words he used: fearless, weren’t afraid to guard anybody, very connected as a group… <a href="https://t.co/50c7t5SVGg">pic.twitter.com/50c7t5SVGg</a></p><p>— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) <a href="https://twitter.com/bijan_todd/status/1849645575567716848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I think something that’s really special about this team is especially with our young guys and a lot of our older guys is that we’re fearless. I like how Bub right away in the first quarter was battling with Jrue,” Poole said. “He’s bumping Jrue, nothing easy, he’ll take a hard foul. We’ve got guys who aren’t afraid to back down.”</p><p>The rookie trio of Sarr, Carrington, and Kyshawn George didn’t light up the box score, as they collectively scored just nine points. However, what matters is that they each showed signs of promise and got vital experience. It doesn’t hurt to have Poole’s leadership, either.</p><p>“If you wanna be good, if you wanna continue to stay in this league for a long time, you’ve gotta have confidence in yourself. I’m telling them that I’m behind them every time, and I think we’re really connected as a unit,” Poole continued. “It’s good to have guys that are fearless, and once we start getting a little bit more games in and a little bit more comfortable, I think we’ll start putting all the pieces together.”</p><p>Speaking of being fearless, Sarr scored his first NBA points on a put-back dunk after a block on the other end, and George had a two-hand slam of his own while also getting defensive experience against Boston superstar Jayson Tatum.</p><p>“They both really did well. Ky, he’s been really good, really good. Impressive over the last couple of months just watching him play, watching him grow,” Poole continued. “He really wants to learn, really wants to get better. He looks comfortable out there to me. He’s built to guard whoever’s the best player, and same thing for Alex.”</p><p>For now, Wizards fans can expect defensive promise with occasional flashes on offense from the rookies. It takes time to put it all together, and Poole won’t rush their process.</p><p>“Obviously there’s a learning curve with every single player that comes into the league, but luckily enough for them they get to learn on the court. They get to learn in in-game experiences, and that’ll be so big for them down the line,” the 25-year-old said.</p><p>“I just told Alex that I’ll continue to be in his ear and build confidence in him, ’cause we all know how good he can be, we all know how good Kyshawn can be, we all know how good Bub can be. I’m excited just to help them and be apart of their process.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Wizards’ Jordan Poole can’t stand Alex Sarr ‘slander’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/wizards-news-jonas-valanciunas-drops-alex-sarr-truth-bomb-stopping-celtics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wizards’ Jonas Valanciunas drops Alex Sarr truth bomb on stopping Celtics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Jonas-Valanciunas-drops-Alex-Sarr-truth-bomb-on-stopping-Celtics.jpg"></figure><h1>Wizards’ Jonas Valanciunas drops Alex Sarr truth bomb on stopping Celtics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-23T17:03:38-07:00">October 23rd, 5:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-23T17:59:18-07:00">October 23rd, 5:59pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor and Washington Wizards/Mystics reporter for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Washington Wizards host the Boston Celtics to open their regular season slate in one of their hardest tests of the year on Thursday night. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-broadcast-trolls-lakers-mickey-mouse-title">defending-champion Celtics</a> are coming off of a nearly record-setting shooting performance against the New York Knicks, but Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas thinks that he and Alex Sarr can slow them down.</p><p>Valanciunas <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849159582989406656?s=46" rel="noopener">explained why he’s confident</a> at Wednesday’s practice.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jonas Valanciunas on him and Alex Sarr matching up against the Celtics defensively:</p><p>“Alex is a really athletic guy, he can block shots…I’m bringing physicality, controlling the paint…I don’t like to talk before the fact, we gotta do it first, right?”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wizards</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hxs3U82owx">pic.twitter.com/Hxs3U82owx</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849159582989406656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“You know, Alex is a really athletic guy. He can block shots, he can add a lot with his length,” Valanciunas said. “Steals, being in passing lanes, long arms poking at the ball. Defensively, he’s perfect. I’m bringing physicality, controlling the paint. We’ll see. I don’t like to talk before the fact, we gotta do it first, right?”</p><p>While Valanciunas is going into his 14th season, Sarr will make his NBA debut. The No. 2 overall pick from this past summer won’t have it easy, as he’ll likely guard five-time All-Star Jayson Tatum at the power forward spot. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-goes-viral-amid-hot-start-vs-knicks">Tatum was unconscious against the Knicks</a>, scoring 37 points on 14-of-18 shooting, including 8-of-11 from deep, with 10 assists and four rebounds. Boston made 29 three-pointers as a team, tying the NBA single-game record.</p><p>Valanciunas, though, <a href="https://x.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849146825770410267?s=46" rel="noopener">kept things in perspective</a> for Washington’s rookies.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jonas Valanciunas on advice for the Wizards’ rookies making their NBA debuts tomorrow night against the defending-champion Celtics </p><p>“It’s a beautiful day to play”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wizards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wizards</a> <a href="https://t.co/6C9Mi9BkMc">pic.twitter.com/6C9Mi9BkMc</a></p><p>— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshvaldez100/status/1849146825770410267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It’s a beautiful day to play. It’s a really good team coming in, defending champions. Can’t ask for anything better,” Valanciunas said.</p><p>Valanciunas’ celebratory mindset is appropriate here. Sarr, as well as fellow rookies Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George, have worked their entire lives for this moment, and this game will be an unforgettable moment in their lives.</p><p>Pre-game nerves are understandable, but Sarr and company can ill-afford to be sheepish on the floor against a team of the Celtics’ caliber. Will Washington’s young group hold its own?</p><h2><b>Celtics present major test for Alex Sarr, Wizards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/07-18-24-sarr-french-image.jpeg"><figcaption>© Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>One major factor that will help Washington is the absence of Boston center Kristaps Porzingis, who’s out with a foot injury. The 7-foot-2, 240-pounder averaged 20.1 points on 51.6% shooting with 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last year and would’ve made life more difficult for the Wizards on both ends. Instead, Valanciunas will match up with Al Horford, who normally comes off the bench at this stage of his career.</p><p>While Valanciunas is mobile enough to defend the perimeter, expect him to stay down low more often than not in case Tatum drives past Sarr on the outside. The seven-foot, 205-pound Sarr has the talent and physical attributes to keep up with the Celtics’ star, but Tatum’s experience and craftiness will be tough for the rookie to handle consistently. As a result, Horford may get open looks from deep, which Washington must live with.</p><p>If Sarr does a credible job defensively, though, it’ll be a great first step for him. The French international was brought in primarily for his defense, and having a respectable outing against the class of the league right off the bat is nothing to take lightly.</p><p>However, basketball is a team sport, and Valanciunas’ presence will be vital to Sarr’s development. This game will be the first of many in which two big men at opposite points in their respective careers will partner up both in the paint and on the perimeter, protecting the rim and contesting shots as much as possible. Even if Thursday’s game doesn’t go as the two would like, it’s only the first episode of a long series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
13.0	6.6	2.3	1.6	0.7

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
13.0	6.6	2.3	1.6	0.7

Alex Sarr news

Alex
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