The Washington Wizards eight-game win streak, the best since 2001, is over.
The San Antonio Spurs came into town, and with their mix of young-and-old stretched the hosts to the final seconds of overtime before finally coming out on top 146-143. It was a high-scoring contest with both teams having multiple players finish with double-digit scoring - Spurs (7) and Wizards (4).
"There are games played throughout the year where nobody deserves to lose and this was one of them…That was elite offense." - Wizards coach Scott Brooks said postgame.
But four of those 11 really stood out, and here's how each one of them impacted the game:
Bradley Beal
Fighting a close battle with Stephen Curry for the league's scoring title, Beal dropped 45 points in this one. It was his sixth 40-point game of the season and 28th of his career, tying him with Gilbert Arenas for the most in franchise history.
Trying to keep the streak going, he was off to a hot start as he scored 13 on 6-of-7 shooting in the first quarter. He caught fire late once again, scoring or assisting on nine of the team's final 13 points in regulation including this tough layup that forced overtime.
"Give the ball to Bradley Beal & let him figure it out" is right. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/YmiKSDaKuI
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 27, 2021
In the extra session, he scored eight of the team's 10 points but couldn't ensure the W. However, with this game, he pushes his career-high scoring average to 31.4 and retakes the lead from Curry for the league's top scorer.
DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan's growth as a playmaker in San Antonio has been pleasing to the eyes. Although he's added that so late in his career, it's taken nothing away from his clutch mid-range shotmaking.
Before Beal tied it up, it seemed like DeRozan had sealed things up in D.C.
ICE IN THE VEINS 🥶🧊❄️ pic.twitter.com/kD50DP8wtT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 27, 2021
Even though that didn't up as the game-winner, as one of the best scorers in the clutch, he had his imprint all over the Spurs' scoring in the final minutes of regulation. Finishing with team-highs of 37 points and 10 assists, he scored or assisted on 15 of the team's last 25 points in regulation.
This was his 13th double-digit assist game of the season, equalling the tally he had in his first 11 seasons combined.
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook's chase to surpass Oscar Robertson's NBA record tally of 182 triple-doubles continued in this one.
Beal's partner-in-crime once again stuffed the stat sheet to finish with 22 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds - the 175th triple-double of his career. He now needs eight more with 11 games to go.
Russell Westbrook has recorded 12 triple-doubles in April. Passing Wilt Chamberlain in March 1968 for the most in a calendar month in NBA history.
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) April 27, 2021
Before Beal took over late, the former MVP was carrying the Wizards in the fourth quarter. Of the team's 38 points, he was responsible for 24 points.
Dejounte Murray
Averaging career-highs across the board, Murray was the young gun among the big stars in this game.
FLOAT GAWD 🕴 pic.twitter.com/xt1LSpXNnZ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 27, 2021
He contributed all over the place, as is his MO, finishing with 25 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three steals. The 17 rebounds are a career-high and that stat line makes him the first Spur since Tim Duncan in 2012 to finish with at least 25/15/3.
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