Sign up to stay connected
Get the top stories of the day around the DMV.
The Washington Wizards broke up the monotony of a current four-game road trip by spending two days at home, starting with a practice Friday to try and extend its current winning streak to four games.
However, All-Star point guard John Wall didn’t practice at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in southeast D.C. Head coach Scott Brooks said he’s unsure if Wall will play Saturday in Ohio against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wall didn’t play Wednesday in Atlanta versus the Hawks for personal reasons, but the Wizards still won 131-117 thanks to All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal’s stat-line of 36 points, nine assists and six rebounds in 42 minutes.
When asked if Wall missed practice to celebrate the birth of his first child, Brooks declined to comment.
“He’s doing great,” Brooks said of Wall. “Everybody’s good. We’ll know more today, but he didn’t practice today.”
If Wall doesn’t play Saturday, Beal will be asked to mirror his efforts from Wednesday.
“I feel like I have to be a little more aggressive knowing that I’ll probably be playing a lot more,” he said. “My minutes will go up and just knowing how to balance it. Being smart about fouls, decision-making on the floor [and] bringing the ball up and playing off the ball. Just letting the game come to me and not forcing anything.”
As for the team’s winning streak, Tomas Satoransky received credit as one of the key figures.
Satoransky entered the starting lineup Dec. 1 against the Brooklyn Nets, the first game to begin the Wizards’ current three-game winning street.
During that stretch, he’s averaged eight points and four assists. But most importantly, only one turnover.
“I would call the glue guy in Tomas Satoransky. Guys [like him] not worrying about the ball [and] going to guard guys,” said Wizards power forward Markieff Morris, who’s come off the bench nine straight games to average 15 points and eight rebounds. “That’s been the difference.”
The Wizards will complete its road trip Monday against the Indiana Pacers before returning home Wednesday to face the Boston Celtics.