Wizards Edge Cavaliers In Overtime Thriller, Playoff Hopes Alive
Wizards Edge Cavaliers In Overtime Thriller, Playoff Hopes Alive...
The Washington Wizards defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-119 in a dramatic overtime battle Tuesday night, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. The game, played at Capital One Arena, featured a career-high 42 points from Wizards guard Jordan Poole and a late-game rally by the Cavaliers to force OT.
With just three games left in the regular season, the win moves Washington within 2.5 games of the final Eastern Conference play-in spot. The Cavaliers, already locked into the playoffs, rested All-Star Donovan Mitchell but got 31 points from Darius Garland in the losing effort.
The game is trending nationally due to its playoff implications and Poole's breakout performance. The former Warriors guard, acquired in an offseason trade, silenced critics with his most complete game as a Wizard, adding 8 assists and 6 rebounds.
Cleveland nearly stole the victory when Garland hit a step-back three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation. Washington's Kyle Kuzma answered with the game-winning putback with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime after Poole's driving layup rolled off the rim.
NBA fans flooded social media with reactions to the chaotic finish. The league's official Twitter account posted Poole's highlights with the caption "Career night when it mattered most," garnering over 150,000 likes in two hours.
Washington (34-45) must win their final three games and get help to reach the play-in tournament. They'll face the Heat, Celtics and Hornets to close the season. Cleveland (48-31) remains fourth in the East but could still move up to the 3-seed.
The teams meet again Friday in Cleveland for what could be another high-stakes matchup if Washington stays mathematically alive. ESPN has moved the game to its national broadcast schedule following Tuesday's thriller.
Coach Wes Unseld Jr. told reporters postgame: "This is who we thought Jordan could be for us. When he's aggressive but under control, he changes our whole offense." Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the close loss "doesn't concern me" with playoffs approaching.
Ticket resale prices for Friday's rematch have spiked 78% since Tuesday's game ended, according to SeatGeek data. The matchup is now the second-hottest NBA ticket this weekend behind only Lakers-Pelicans.
