By Jacob Calvin Meyer - The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 15, 2022

The Washington Wizards went west but left their defense back east. 

The Wizards wrapped up their four-game West Coast road trip last night with a 126-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Washington (29-38) went winless on the trip, allowing an average of 122.5 points per game in losses to the Clippers, Lakers, Blazers and Warriors.

Losers of seven of their last nine, the Wizards are now four games behind the Hawks for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. 

More than just allowing more than 122 points in the last three games, the Wizards have allowed a massive performance from an opposing player in each game. LeBron James scored 50 on Friday for the Lakers, and Josh Hart totaled 44 for the Blazers on Saturday. Curry then splashed 47 for the Warriors on Monday. 

On Saturday, coach Wes Unseld Jr. lamented the team’s poor defense after the 127-118 loss to a depleted Portland team that was without four of its top players. 

“Discipline is part of it,” Unseld said. “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.”

While the defense was worse out west, the team’s play on that side of the floor has been especially bad since the trade deadline. In the last 14 games, the Wizards are allowing an average of 116.9 points per game — 5.2 points higher than prior to the deadline. 

The uninspired defense is a far cry from the way the team started. Unseld’s squad allowed more than 116 points just three times in the team’s first 26 games, in which the Wizards were 15-11. 

• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.

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