The Washington Wizards' dysfunction became a national ordeal shortly after details of an explosive practice session became public, with the franchise's top players taking aim at their own teammates and even their coach and team president. Needless to say, the players were “embarrassed.”
Oddly enough, it had taken place on Thursday, Nov. 15, just a day after putting together a three-game win streak. Yet after fines, apologies and ensuing explanations to members of the media, the Wizards had to overcome one of their toughest weeks to date — and they did.
After losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers, the Wizards knocked out the LA Clippers, who held the best record in the Western Conference at the time, only to take down two other playoff contenders in the New Orleans Pelicans and most recently the Houston Rockets in overtime — somehow surviving a 54-point onslaught from James Harden.
“We’re done [with it],” said veteran Markieff Morris, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. “Honestly, we don’t wanna take no backward steps. Just try to push past it. When you’re losing, there’s gonna be stuff like that, and you’ve gotta be the bigger man and push back.”
Morris recently took a bench role, as coach Scott Brooks noted the team could use his scoring punch on the second unit. He obliged, willingly — a maneuver that has resulted in four straight double-digit scoring games after struggling to fit within the Wizards' guard-centric offense.
Yet the Philly native has kept his eyes on the prize, noting things have taken a turn for the better after a team meeting, but Washington is still far from actual success at 8-12.
“We’re not winning,” Morris said, pointing out that the team is a long way away from actual success. “We won a couple games. We’re not winning.”
The Wizards have arguably thrived under the adversity, taking their bruises and hardening their skin because of it. After a 2-9 start to the season, they've managed to go 6-3, now boasting plenty of statement wins under their belt to right the ship.
“We would rather have not had that happen, just figured it out [another] way, but I just think guys are sick of losing,” Morris said. “And we’re just trying to get [it] to click.”
Washington has a date on deck Wednesday with the New Orleans Pelicans.
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