Wizards lose 110–103 to Hornets as 20 offensive rebounds prove costly

Anthony Davis gave Washington 29 points and 10 rebounds. Trae Young added 22 points and 10 assists. Kyshawn George scored 20. The Wizards still left Charlotte with a 110–103 loss on Monday, October 26, and a 2–2 record.

The clearest number from this one belongs to the possessions Washington did not finish: Charlotte collected 20 offensive rebounds. Moussa Diabaté grabbed 11 of them himself, part of a 17-rebound night. Brandon Miller supplied the scoring punch with 39 points.

Washington had enough production from its main scorers to make a late push. It did not have enough control of the glass to make that production count for a win.

THE SHOT DID NOT END THE STOP

The Wizards shot 48.2% from the field. Charlotte shot 43.3%. That looks encouraging until the attempts enter the conversation: the Hornets took 97 shots to Washington’s 85 and finished with 42 made field goals to the Wizards’ 41.

Charlotte’s 20–10 advantage in offensive rebounds was a major part of that possession problem. The Hornets also committed 11 turnovers to Washington’s 14. Those are separate ways to extend your own chances or take an opponent’s chance away; neither should disappear behind a shooting percentage.

Our takeaway is straightforward: a defensive possession needs a rebound at the end of it. For Washington, the next step is making contact, finding the next rebounder and having the guards help finish the play. The box score establishes the missed opportunities. It does not assign every one of them to a single defender or explain the coverage on every possession.

HOW CHARLOTTE BUILT THE GAP

Washington led 21–19 after the first quarter. Charlotte then won the second 35–23 to take a 54–44 halftime lead. The Hornets were up 80–68 entering the fourth.

The Wizards did respond. Young’s floater with 1:13 left brought Washington within 103–100. Miller answered with a turnaround fadeaway at 50.9 seconds, restoring a five-point lead. Charlotte finished the job at the foul line.

That late push deserves credit. The more useful question for the next game is how Washington avoids needing such a large recovery in the first place. A good fourth quarter cannot be the regular plan for undoing the middle of a game.

AD, TRAE AND KYSHAWN GAVE THE OFFENSE A CHANCE

Davis made 11 of 22 shots, including three of six from outside, and did not commit a turnover. Young went 10-for-20 with 10 assists and two turnovers. George made eight of 14 shots and both of his three-point attempts.

Their combined 71 points were the foundation of the offense. Alex Sarr added 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Washington’s bench finished with 17 points, compared with Charlotte’s 29.

That gap is a useful rotation question, not proof that one substitute or one lineup caused the loss. The goal should be reliable possessions when the combinations change: an organizer, spacing, a clear next pass and enough rebounding to get the ball back. George’s four turnovers and five fouls belong beside his efficient scoring when evaluating his night, too. The encouraging part and the work still to do can both be true.

THE NEXT TEST IS CLEVELAND

Washington visits the Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Wednesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. Eastern. The first checkpoint should be whether a missed opponent shot actually ends the possession. The next is whether the offense keeps its direction through substitutions and pressure.

Four games are an early sample. They are enough to identify questions worth tracking, without treating every good or bad night as a permanent identity. The scoring talent has produced strong stretches. Charlotte was a reminder that controlling the next possession matters just as much.

KEEP THE RESEARCH GOING IN THE STATS LAB

Wizards fans researching a parlay for the next game can start in the WizKids Stats Lab. Check your favorite players’ stats, recent game logs and minutes alongside the matchup. The feed checked for this recap includes games through October 26; look at the sample size and freshness date before drawing a conclusion.

Fans following player development can use those same tools to compare roles and recent production. For another look at the work around a highlight, read Justin Champagnie Is Doing the Work Between the Highlights.

Watch the official NBA recap and check the NBA box score and play-by-play. Game figures and scoring sequence come from those official records; the basketball recommendations above are WizKids analysis.