By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 01:15 EDT, 18 March 2025 | Updated: 01:20 EDT, 18 March 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Anfernee Simons scored 30 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Washington Wizards 112-97 on Monday night for their second consecutive victory following a five-game slide.
Shaedon Sharpe added 16 points, and rookie center Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. Deni Avdija and Duop Reath both scored 15.
Simons shot 10 for 17, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range, and made all five of his free throws.
Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 20 points. Tristan Vukcevic had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Simons scored 16 points in the first half to help put the Blazers (30-39) up 59-49 at the break.
Wizards: Last in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards (15-52) dropped to 3-3 on a seven-game trip. They had won two in a row and four of six. Washington was coming off a 126-123 victory Saturday night in Denver.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons dunks against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Trail Blazers: Improved to 18-16 at home and moved within three games of Dallas for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference, with Phoenix in between.
Portland took the lead for good at 46-43 on a 3-pointer by Simons with 3:13 remaining in the second quarter. Those were the first of his 10 straight points in a 13-0 run capped by a 3 from Avdija.
The Wizards committed 16 turnovers, eight more than the Trail Blazers. Portland finished with 15 steals, including five by Matisse Thybulle in 22 minutes off the bench.
Wizards: Wrap up a long road swing Wednesday night at Utah in a matchup between the two worst teams in the NBA.
Trail Blazers: Continue a seven-game homestand Wednesday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, right, shoots over Washington Wizards guard Colby Jones, top left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath, left, dunks over Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) dunks over Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, left, passes the ball around Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots over Washington Wizards guard Colby Jones, bottom right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, left, looks to pass the ball over Washington Wizards guard Colby Jones (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Washington Wizards guard Colby Jones, right, is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, top, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) dribbles toward Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, right, looks to pass the ball away from Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, left, brings the ball upcourt next to Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)