With point guard Antonio Daniels out for 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee, the Washington Wizards were more than shorthanded going into Saturday night’s game against the visiting Sacramento Kings. Rookie Nick Young started in Daniels’ spot in the back court and scored five of the team’s first seven points, but it was the hot hand of DeShawn Stevenson that led the Wizards to a 92-79 win.
Stevenson played over 44 minutes and connected on five of his six field goals from behind the three point line, leading five other Wizards in double figures with 19 points. The Wizards didn’t neglect the defensive side of the court either, holding the Kings to just 28 points in the second half.
Wiz President Ernie Grunfeld addressed his teams injury woes before the game, specifically the need for some warm bodies in the back court. “At this time we are very short at the point guard position,” he said. “We feel it is in the best interest of everyone to bring in someone to help us out. We are going to look around and see who is available.” The Washington Times is reporting that that someone will be Mike Wilks, recently cut from the Denver Nuggets.
Wilks’ numbers (3 ppg, 0.8 apg) don’t jump out at you, but he plays hard on D and is a league veteran, having played in the NBA for six years, even making the playoffs twice. His contract with the team will not be guaranteed, so it’s doubtful he will stick around once Daniels is healed.
For those of you counting at home, the team is now 10-5 without the injured Gilbert Arenas. Washington faces Chicago and Atlanta at home on Wednesday and Friday respectively before heading to Indiana on Saturday to face the Pacers.
