The Washington Wizards kept things interesting Friday but fell short 131-126 against a similarly undermanned Golden State Warriors squad at Chase Center.
The Wizards, fresh off a streak-snapping win over the Indiana Pacers, looked ready to roll over in the first quarter. Washington’s offense was stuck in the mud early and could only muster six points halfway through the period. The good guys trailed 38-25 through the first.
Will Riley and Bilal Coulibaly kept Washington close in the second quarter. The pair combined for 17 of the Wizards’ 35 points in the period as the Warriors led 72-60 at the half.
Coulibaly kept things going to start the third quarter, scoring the team’s first 10 points to key a 16-4 run that knotted the game up at 76. The bench mob followed Bilal’s lead to help Washington take a 94-92 advantage into the final period.
The Wizards were smelling a winning streak with a 111-106 lead at the 6:18 mark, but the Warriors countered with a 16-2 run that buried the D.C. boys for good.
Riley put up another efficient offensive outing with a team-high 22 points on just 12 shots to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The confidence he has offensively at this point is night and day compared to how he looked early in the season.
Coulibaly finished with 21 of his own, while Bub Carrington added 16 points and 5 assists.
Washington’s West Coast trip continued on Sunday against Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers.