Drew Timme delivered in crunch time, scoring the go-ahead basket with 7.7 seconds left as the Brooklyn Nets (24-51) edged the Washington Wizards (16-58) 115-112 on Saturday night.
Timme, playing in just his second NBA game, cut to the basket and finished a layup to put Brooklyn ahead 113-112. Washington had a chance to respond, but Colby Jones threw the ball out of bounds. Jalen Wilson then sealed the game with two free throws.
Wilson and Tyrese Martin each scored 20 points to lead the Nets, while Timme contributed 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Cam Johnson added 18 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists.
Jones and AJ Johnson paced Washington with 20 points apiece. The Wizards, still reeling from a 53-point loss to Indiana on Thursday, had a chance to win but couldn’t capitalize in the final seconds.
Brooklyn trailed 59-51 at halftime after struggling with fouls and perimeter defense. The Wizards attempted 20 first-half free throws but shot just 1-of-13 from three-point range. The Nets, despite making 10 first-half threes, committed 14 fouls before the break.
Timme was efficient, going 9-of-14 from the field, including the late go-ahead bucket. His impact was immediate after signing with the team on Friday, as he posted a double-double in his debut against the Clippers.
Martin and Keon Johnson provided backcourt stability, combining for 35 points and seven three-pointers. Noah Clowney added 13 points, while Wilson’s 20-point performance was crucial in Brooklyn’s efforts to snap a six-game losing streak.
For Washington, Jordan Poole struggled, shooting 2-of-9 from the field but still managed 12 points. Alex Sarr added 12 points and four rebounds, while Justin Champagnie grabbed nine boards to go along with nine points.
The Wizards fought back in the fourth quarter, erasing a Nets lead and briefly taking control. However, they missed key shots down the stretch, including an errant pass from Jones that proved costly.
Brooklyn finished the night shooting 44.3% from the field and 39.1% from deep, hitting 18 three-pointers. Washington, meanwhile, made just 9-of-34 attempts from beyond the arc (26.5%) despite converting 29-of-33 free throws.
The win helps the Nets avoid a season sweep against Washington and marks just their second victory in their last 11 games.
