The energy Russell Westbrook brings to the Washington Wizards is contagious. The nine-time All-Star combines with teammate Garrison Mathews to cut off a late Brooklyn Nets inbound pass in a close January 31, 2021 contest. Mathews steals the ball and immediately finds Westbrook for a go-ahead three, sealing an epic comeback for the franchise. Westbrook finished with a staggering 41 points, ten rebounds and eight assists in the win.

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook drops 41, works with Garrison Mathews to seal epic comeback

Running the two man game to perfection! Washington Wizards rookie Deni Avdija sneaks away from his defender, catches the pass from teammate Bradley Beal, and knocks down the wide-open three ball to tie the game early in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 23, 2020.

Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija drains give-and-go triple in first NBA matchup

When shooters build confidence, the whole building will know. After corralling a rebound under the Washington Wizards’ hoop, third-year wing Corey Kispert proceeds down the floor, dips around a flanking teammate then buries a pull-up transition triple. Kispert’s trey – three of his 22 first-half points in the October 28, 2023 win –  was money the minute it left his fingertips.

Corey Kispert

Corey Kispert cans pull-up three in 22-point first half

As relentless in the paint as any NBA hooper, Daniel Gafford is going to make his share of big plays. Three on one possession? That’s different. Matched up against Mark Williams in the restricted area, the Washington Wizards big thwarts a first layup attempt, inches into an even better position for a second, then sets aside a third just as the shot clock expires. Gafford finished the November 10, 2023 matchup with 10 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and a pair of steals.

Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford swats three shots in rapid succession

Welcome to the handles clinic! Moritz Wagner of the Washington Wizards flexes the sick behind-the-back dribble before hitting the tough contested layup against the Detroit Pistons on November 4, 2019.

Moritz Wagner

Moritz Wagner clears space for hoop with behind-back dribble

Test Bilal Coulibaly’s defensive range if you want but it’s not recommended. Keeping track of his own check over the course of an Indiana Pacers possession, Coulibaly catches his man in the middle of a backdoor cut, then trails the attempt and spikes it out of bounds. It was one of three blocks in the October 25, 2023 debut for the Washington Wizards rookie, who also chipped in three points, four boards and three assists.

Bilal Coulibaly

Bilal Coulibaly spikes layup attempt out of bounds in first NBA game

A looming threat to score whenever he has the rock, Jordan Poole understands how to command the attention of the defense. In his first game as a member of the Washington Wizards, Poole engages multiple defenders long enough to hunt out a passing lane for a cutting Danilo Gallinari. Poole finished his October 25, 2023 debut with 18 points and five assists.

Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole battles to slip dime into the post in Wizards debut

Bradley Beal sure made Drew Eubanks rethink that defensive switch. With Kristaps Porziņģis running interference, the Portland Trail Blazers big man was left as the last line of defense against a surging Beal, who finished the play by landing a highlight-reel poster on Eubanks. The dunk represented two of Beal’s 19 points, and the three-time All-Star also contributed four assists in the Washington Wizards’ 126-101 road triumph on February 14, 2023. Beal shot a career best 50.6 percent from the field in 2022-23 and ended the season less than 200 points from becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. 

Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal beats defender, soars through paint for poster cram

Talk about teamwork and athleticism in their finest forms. With the Washington Wizards missing their top two scorers in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks, Rui Hachimura was more than willing to step up in an all-hands-on-deck scenario. Teammate Kyle Kuzma gets the play started, gaining access to the paint with a dribble drive and spin move before he’s enveloped by three defenders. Ever the cool customer, Kuzma dumps off an opportune pass to Hachimura, who goes up, under and up again in order to get a reverse layup to fall. Hachimura produced a season-high 23 points along with eight rebounds off the bench for the shorthanded Wizards in the November 10, 2022 victory.

Rui Hachimura

Rui Hachimura cuts along baseline, sinks acrobatic up-and-under

No defense is safe from a well-executed crossover. The Chicago Bulls found themselves on the wrong side of Monte Morris’ handles, as the Washington Wizards point guard first goes behind-the-back before putting Patrick Williams on skates with a slick cross and then finishes with an open baseline pull-up jumper. Morris poured in 17 points in the game while adding two rebounds and three assists as the Wizards prevailed 100-97 on January 11, 2023.

Monte Morris

Monte Morris loses defender on crossover, pulls up for baseline jumper

Primarily a starter his final three seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Will Barton was a revelation off the bench in his first game with his new squad. Now a member of the Washington Wizards, the 11-year veteran wastes little time making a positive impression on his teammates. Following a steal on the defensive end, Barton leads the counterattack while surveying his options. Spotting Daniel Gafford sneaking into the paint, Barton threads the needle with an unselfish no-look dish and Gafford does the rest, putting a Pacers defender on a poster with an impressive one-handed slam. Barton debuted with 14 points, two rebounds and three assists in helping his team prevail 114-107 on October 19, 2022.

Will Barton

Will Barton advances in transition, whips no-look pass into post

With a reputation for always making the right play, Tyus Jones sees the game differently. After advancing the ball up the court and running his defender off a screen, Jones capitalizes on space between himself and the next man up by pulling up for three and punishing an over-eager closeout. In addition to the four-point opportunity in his first game as a member of the Washington Wizards, Jones finished the October 25, 2023 matchup with 16 points and six assists.

Tyus Jones

Tyus Jones nails three through contact in first game with Wizards

Marketplace