The Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks in a game that went down to the wire in front of a packed east London crowd.
The NBA’s latest trip to London saw two of the Eastern Conference’s bottom teams battle it out to try and fight their way up the standings.
For highlights of the game visit MLG Highlights YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tt-il7QYpc
Injury Trouble
Unfortunately for the fans in the O2 Arena both teams have been plagued with injuries as of late. The Wizards were without star point guard and one of the most explosive players in the league John Wall, as well as big man and former dunk contest champion Dwight Howard. Even one half of the Morris twins Markieff Morris was missing.
For New York, fan favourite and young superstar Kristaps Porzingis was out due to an Achilles injury he has been carrying for months. The 7’3 Latvian was missed out on the court and his absence has been a big reason for the Knicks’ struggles.
Turkish big man Enes Kanter who has been a very consistent player for the team was also unable to make the trip for his own safety, with fears of being extradited back to Turkey. Kanter has been outspoken for a while now about Turkish president Tayyip Erodgan.
Star Players
Despite these missing players, both teams gave the capital a close game from the first to the fourth quarter.
For the Wizards, star shooting guard Bradley Beal stepped up yet again as the new leader of the squad. Beal ended the game with 26 points nine boards and four assists.
Beal was helped out by wing man Otto Porter Jr who displayed the potential that Washington saw in him in early years as a defensive stopper and three-point shooter, Porter ended the game with a very solid double double of 20 points and 11 boards.
New York kept things close, led by the effort of young point guard Emanuel Mudiay.
Ending the game with an impressive 25 points and seven boards, Mudiay showed the London crowd why New York took a chance on him and has been a nice addition to the squad.
Controversial Finish
Despite the Knicks best efforts they couldn’t quite hold on to the lead despite a late game hook shot from forward Noah Vonleh to put NYC up 100-99.
With just seconds remaining on the clock Washington drew up a play with Beal getting the ball into big man Thomas Bryant who threw up a buzzer-beating layup that ended up being called for a rare late game goal tend. This gave the team a 101-100 lead that closed out the game, giving the win to Washington.
It was a very close call and not one that is often seen in the league in late game situations.
There is usually more leniency with defensive plays being called for fouls or goal tends, however the refs called this one, leaving the Knicks with zero seconds on the clock and no chance to even throw up a shot.
Both teams managed to put on a show for the excited crowd giving a tense fourth quarter going back and forth, ending in one of the most surprising buzzer beaters in the past few seasons.
