Alex Sarr Powers Wizards Past Trail Blazers to End Nine Game Skid in Washington

Washington — Alex Sarr delivered a career defining performance Tuesday night, scoring 29 points with 12 rebounds and 6 blocked shots as the Washington Wizards snapped a nine game losing streak with a 115 to 111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Capital One Arena.

The victory marked Washington’s first home win against Portland since January 16, 2017, ending a long drought and providing a needed breaking update for a rebuilding Wizards roster led by first year head coach Brian Keefe. For a young Washington team searching for momentum, the result offered both immediate relief and longer term optimism centered around Sarr’s development.

Sarr, the 7 foot 1 rookie, attempted a career high 29 field goals and converted 11, anchoring both ends of the floor. His interior presence proved decisive late as Washington closed the game on an 8 to 0 run after trailing 104 to 100 in the fourth quarter. Bub Carrington sparked the surge with a three point play before Kyshawn George knocked down a three pointer that gave the Wizards a lead they would not relinquish.

Portland had chances down the stretch. Shaedon Sharpe scored 31 points and nearly forced overtime, drilling a three pointer to cut the deficit to 112 to 109 before throwing down a dunk with 20.5 seconds remaining to make it a one point game. After George split a pair of free throws, Sharpe missed a contested jumper out of a timeout, and Khris Middleton sealed the outcome with two free throws.

Despite the loss, the Trail Blazers controlled the glass, finishing with a 69 to 46 rebounding advantage and 29 offensive boards. Portland also held a 31 to 14 edge in second chance points, but inefficiency at the free throw line proved costly as the Blazers went 13 of 23. Head coach Chauncey Billups cited execution issues late as Portland dropped another close game in a season defined by narrow margins.

The matchup also featured a notable battle between two of the league’s youngest centers. Portland rookie Donovan Clingan posted 14 points and 20 rebounds, while former Wizard Deni Avdija added 17 points and 12 rebounds in his return to Washington. Avdija and Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly both returned after missing time with back injuries, a positive development in the latest timeline for both teams.

Washington led 60 to 53 at halftime before Portland surged ahead in the second half, but Sarr’s rim protection and shot volume shifted the impact of the game late. Performances like this continue to strengthen Washington’s outlook as it evaluates its core and builds around Sarr, Coulibaly, and Carrington.

Next steps see the Wizards hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, a significant test against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

Portland continues its road trip Friday night at New York, looking to translate strong rebounding into more consistent results.