NBA: Wizards lean on productive bench, hold off skidding Kings

Rookie Will Riley scored a season-high 18 points as the Washington Wizards edged the visiting Sacramento Kings 116-112 on Sunday.

Riley, who made 4 of 8 from three-point range, teamed up with AJ Johnson, who added 17 points, to spearhead a dominant performance from Washington’s bench. The Wizards’ reserves outscored Sacramento’s 61-20, with Skal Labissiere and Sharife Cooper also contributing key plays down the stretch.

For the Kings, Zach LaVine scored 35 points, while DeMar DeRozan posted 32, including 24 in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to stop Sacramento’s ninth consecutive loss.

Riley’s fourth three-pointer with 2:07 remaining put Washington ahead 111-109, and Labissiere’s hook shot extended the lead to 113-110. The 6-foot Cooper grabbed a huge offensive rebound and converted a putback off Johnson’s missed three, pushing the Wizards’ lead to 115-110. LaVine’s baseline dunk trimmed the gap to 115-112 with 30 seconds remaining.

After Isaiah Stevens stole the ball for Sacramento with 12 seconds left, LaVine missed a three-pointer to tie the game. Cooper was fouled on a rebound and made one of two free throws with 3.5 seconds left, sealing the 116-112 victory.

The Kings started strong, connecting on their first three shots to lead 7-2, but managed just one basket — a Precious Achiuwa putback dunk — in their next 19 attempts. Washington led 23-14 after the first quarter.

LaVine heated up in the second quarter, scoring 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers, helping Sacramento close the half trailing 53-48.

Sacramento briefly took the lead in the fourth after an 8-0 run capped by DeRozan’s dunk, giving the Kings a 97-95 edge. DeRozan scored 15 of Sacramento’s first 19 points in the quarter while LaVine rested, but the Wizards’ bench proved too strong down the stretch.

Washington outlasted Sacramento behind clutch contributions from their reserves, securing a vital home win.

—Field Level Media/Reuters