Jeff Dowtin Jr. recorded a career-high 30 points to help the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers halt a 12-game losing streak with a 122-103 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
The guard, who signed a two-way contract earlier this season, led all scorers while shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Dowtin, a native of the Washington, D.C. area, made his first appearance of the month for Philadelphia and delivered an efficient scoring display in front of his hometown crowd.
Philadelphia improved to 24-56 with the win, while the Wizards dropped to 17-63, cementing the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers played without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, Jared McCain, and Andre Drummond, all sidelined due to injuries.
Despite missing nearly their entire core rotation, the visitors had five players score in double figures and made 16 of their 50 attempts from three-point range.
Lonnie Walker IV added 24 points in 28 minutes, while rookie center Adem Bona contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting.
Tristan Vukcevic scored a career-best 24 points off the bench to lead Washington, which ended its home schedule with an NBA-worst 8-32 record.
The Wizards also played without key rotation players including Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton, Corey Kispert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Bilal Coulibaly.
Marcus Smart was a healthy scratch, not appearing despite being active for the game.
Philadelphia outscored Washington 36-29 in the third quarter to create separation after leading 53-50 at halftime.
In the fourth quarter, the Sixers opened the frame with a 12-3 run, building a 101-87 lead that effectively sealed the result.
Dowtin’s performance was a bright spot for a franchise closing a turbulent season marked by injuries and lineup instability.
Traded veterans and multiple inactive starters have forced Philadelphia to rely on bench players and G League call-ups in recent weeks.
Colin Castleton pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds for the Sixers, helping the visitors win the rebounding battle 55-47.
Quentin Grimes and Jared Butler chipped in 17 and 13 points, respectively, while Ricky Council IV added 11 off the bench.
Washington shot 39.1% from the field and just 30.3% from deep while committing 16 turnovers.
Philadelphia converted 28 of its 38 free throws and had 10 steals on the night, including four from Dowtin.
Dowtin’s breakout night comes as he aims to earn a longer-term NBA contract heading into the offseason.
