The Washington Wizards achieved a significant milestone on Monday night, holding the Brooklyn Nets to just 12 points in the fourth quarter of a 107-99 victory. This game marked the first time this season that the Wizards managed to keep an opponent under 100 points. The Nets struggled offensively, failing to score again until sinking a pair of free throws with just 13 seconds left in the game. This defensive feat comes as a much-needed boost for the Wizards, who had been the only NBA team yet to accomplish such a defensive performance this season.
Key to this defensive turnaround was the recent addition of Marcus Smart, acquired in a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. Smart, who was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 while with the Boston Celtics, has faced limited playing time since being traded to the Grizzlies in June 2023. After making his debut for the Wizards last week, Smart returned to action against Brooklyn, contributing 10 points in just over 21 minutes of play despite dealing with an injury to his right index finger.
Smart's presence on the court was instrumental in fortifying the Wizards' defense. His reputation as a tenacious defender was well-earned during his tenure with Boston, and he is gradually finding his rhythm with Washington. Reflecting on his recent challenges and return to form, Smart stated:
"There is some people that kind of probably slept — I haven't played in a couple years consistently, and they probably forgot about me — which is cool. I'm used to it."
Despite turning the ball over 23 times, the Wizards managed to overcome these offensive lapses through their defensive efforts, forcing Brooklyn into 18 turnovers. Scoring 40 points in the second half, Washington capitalized on Brooklyn's mistakes to secure their victory. The team's defensive success was a stark contrast to the previous season's Utah Jazz, who went an entire season without holding any opponent under 100 points.
The Wizards' victory not only marked a defensive achievement but also highlighted their potential moving forward. With Smart's ongoing recovery and integration into the team, Washington aims to build on this momentum as the season progresses.
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