Kyle Kuzma scored a season-high 31 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 105-103 win over the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, ending their 16-game losing streak.
The Timberwolves cut the lead to 105-102 after Mike Conley made three free throws with 15.1 seconds left. They had a chance to tie when Conley stole an inbound pass and passed it to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Jordan Poole added 19 points for the Wizards, who avoided a franchise-record 17th consecutive loss. This marked their first win since defeating the Chicago Bulls 125-107 on January 1.
Bilal Coulibaly contributed 14 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Kyshawn George chipped in 11 points.
For the Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Rudy Gobert finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Conley added 16 points, Alexander-Walker scored 14, and Joe Ingles had a season-high 10 points off the bench.
Golden State Warriors and Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota was without stars Anthony Edwards (illness) and Julius Randle (groin), and Naz Reid did not return after suffering a right finger sprain in the third quarter.
Washington jumped out to a 27-17 lead, but Minnesota finished the first quarter with a 9-0 run. Poole scored 12 points in the opening period, including four 3-pointers.
Kuzma took over to start the second quarter, scoring 18 of Washington’s first 23 points, including four 3-pointers, giving the Wizards a 50-43 lead. Washington led 58-57 at halftime after shooting 54.5 percent (12 of 22) from 3-point range.
The Wizards held an 83-72 lead late in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves scored the last five points of the period to make it 83-77. Minnesota cut the deficit to 101-100 with 1:10 left in the game, but Washington scored the next five points to secure the win.
Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon returned after missing 14 games with a right foot injury, contributing three points in 21 minutes.
