Upcoming Matchup: Wizards vs. Hornets
The Washington Wizards are set to face off against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, North Carolina, this Saturday at 6 p.m. EST. The Wizards, currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 10 wins and 33 losses, are eager to break a frustrating five-game losing streak on the road. In contrast, the Hornets, holding a 17-28 record, are positioned in 12th place within the same conference and have had a somewhat better performance against Southeast Division rivals, boasting a 5-4 record against them this season.
Team Performance and Statistics
When it comes to turnovers, the Hornets average 14.6 per game and have seen success when they maintain control of the ball, posting a record of 6-8 in those scenarios. The Wizards have struggled in division matchups, accumulating a 2-4 record. Interestingly, in the battle for offensive rebounds, Washington stands at eighth in the Eastern Conference, with Marvin Bagley III leading the way, averaging 2.6 offensive boards per game.
Shooting statistics reveal both teams have similar field goal percentages; the Hornets have managed to shoot 46.0% this season, while the Wizards are slightly behind at 45.9%. Defensively, the Wizards allow their opponents to shoot 47.5%, whereas the Hornets’ opponents have hit 47.7% of their shots.
Previous Encounters
This matchup will mark the third encounter between the two teams this season, with the Hornets emerging victorious in their prior meeting on December 24, 2022, by a score of 126-109, thanks in part to LaMelo Ball’s impressive 23 points in that contest.
Individual Performances
In terms of individual performances, Hornets’ Kon Knueppel has been a standout, averaging 19.0 points on 48.2% shooting, while Brandon Miller has maintained an impressive scoring rate of 18.6 points over the past ten games. For the Wizards, Alex Sarr is contributing 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, while Bub Carrington has been notable for hitting an average of 2.2 three-pointers in recent play.
Recent Performance and Injuries
Over their last ten games, the Hornets posted a balanced record of 5-5, scoring an average of 116.3 points along with 49.1 rebounds and 26.9 assists per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field. On the other hand, the Wizards have faced significant challenges, winning only 1 of their last 10, with an average of 108.3 points, 42.1 rebounds, and 23.6 assists in that span, while their shooting percentage has dropped to 44.8%.
Injury concerns loom over both teams, with multiple players sidelined. For the Hornets, Mason Plumlee (groin), Tre Mann (illness), Grant Williams (knee), and KJ Simpson (hip) are unavailable. The Wizards will be without Tristan Vukcevic (knee), Bilal Coulibaly (back), Cam Whitmore (shoulder, out for the season), Trae Young (quad), and Marvin Bagley III (illness).
This upcoming game serves as a crucial moment for Washington as they seek to turn their road fortunes around while Charlotte hopes to maintain momentum against a struggling opponent.
