Washington Halts 16-Game NBA Slump After Nipping Minnesota

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Finally, after 31 exact days of absorbing consecutive losses, the Washington Wizards are back in the NBA winning column.

On February 2, 2025, Washington ended its 16-game dry spell after edging the banged-up Minnesota Timberwolves squad, 105-103, in the ongoing NBA regular season.

The Wizards beat a Minnesota team that played without the services of Anthony Edwards, who was sidelined due to illness, and Julius Randle who is still nursing a right groin strain.

All thanks to Kyle Kuzma who erupted for a season-high 31-point performance for the Wizards, shooting an insane 5/10 from the three-point line and an efficient 13/24 from the field.

Washington’s star swingman overcame a slow start in the game after ending the first 12 minutes of action without any points.

However, Kuzma suddenly caught fire in the second quarter, dropping 18 points alone at the half that gave the Wizards a narrow one-point lead heading into the third period.

Without Edwards and Randle, the Timberwolves fought back and answered every scoring run that Washington had but Kuzma’s clutch hits in the most crucial stretch of the fourth doomed them of their comeback hopes.

Kuzma sank a clutch layup to protect their lead with 1:25 remaining in the fourth, while following it up with a cold-blooded fade-away jumper that forced Minnesota to call a timeout in the final 55 seconds of the game.

Mike Conley tried to ignite another Minnesota rally after cashing all of his free throws in a foul call from downtown, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s game-winner attempt from the rainbow area missed, rewarding the Wizards with their first win in a month.

It was also a huge collective effort from the desperate Washington team, as four other players joined Kuzma in reaching the double-digit scoring mark.

Jordan Poole became the squad’s second-best scorer after chipping in 19 markers, followed by Bilal Coulibaly’s 14, Jonas Valanciunas’ 13, and Kyshawn George’s 11.

On the other hand, Jaden McDaniels picked up the scoring for the Timberwolves and finished with a double-double outing of 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Washington will look to extend its winning streak against the Charlotte Hornets on February 4, 2025, while Minnesota aims to bounce back against the Sacramento Kings on the same date.