Unseld: Wizards’ loss, defense against undermanned Blazers ‘unacceptable’

An 82-game NBA season presents few opportunities like the one the Wizards had against the Trail Blazers on Saturday.

In serious need of a win — losers of five of their last seven and falling out of the hunt for the last play-in spot — the Wizards faced off against a struggling Portland team that was without several of its best players. Despite the advantage, Washington (29-37) lost 127-118 for its third straight defeat on the West Coast road trip. 

The Blazers, already one of the worst teams in the NBA, were without Damian Lillard, Nassir Little, Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic. The tallest Portland player who saw the floor Saturday was 6-foot-9, but the Blazers still dominated the paint, outscoring the Wizards 70-42 down low. 

The Wizards, coming off a 13-point loss to the Lakers on Friday in which LeBron James scored 50 points, were sluggish, allowing the Blazers to take an early lead. Portland increased the advantage to 22 points in the second quarter, and Washington was never able to get back into the game. 

Josh Hart checks out of the game and receives a standing ovation in Portland after dropping a career-high 44 PTS! pic.twitter.com/FWbVfHBZR3

— NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2022

Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. was critical of the team’s defense after the loss. 

“The defensive side of the ball has not been there,” Unseld said. “We can say we’re tired, but that’s an excuse. I’m not buying it. We have to be better.

“Discipline is part of it. At some point, you have to accept that challenge. They’re playing with a level of freedom and comfort that’s unacceptable. Our overall pride on that side of the ball isn’t where it needs to be.”

The Wizards are now 29-37 on the season and in the dreaded 11th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The recent slide has seen the team go from contending with the Hawks for the final spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament to now three games behind Atlanta with only 16 games remaining. 

To make matters worse, the Wizards’ recent poor play hasn’t improved their odds in the NBA lottery, as Washington has remained stuck with the 11th worst record in basketball.