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Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets

Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) dunks against Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justin Champagnie scored a season-high 20 points and the Washington Wizards continued their recent improvement with a 119-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

Alex Sarr added 19 points and CJ McCollum scored 17 for the Wizards, who still have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference (9-23) but have won four out of five for the first time since Feb. 8-16, 2023.

Washington won the rebounding battle 51-33 while holding Brooklyn to a season-low six 3-pointers in 29 attempts (20.7%).

Day’Ron Sharpe, Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams and Drake Powell all had 14 points for Brooklyn (10-22), which has lost three straight following a three-game winning streak.

Washington had a 19-2 advantage in points off turnovers before halftime, and used an 18-4 run that stretched across the first and second quarters to build its lead to 18.

Champagnie’s 3-pointer as the first-quarter buzzer sounded made it 37-24. Will Riley added to the lead with a layup to open the second quarter, then fed AJ Johnson for a 3 a couple possessions later that stretched it to 44-26.

Brooklyn got within nine later in the second and third quarters before Washington stretched its lead to 23 by the end of the third and 28 early in the fourth.

Up next

Nets: Start a three-game homestand Sunday against Denver.

Wizards: Play their second of three at home Sunday against Minnesota.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) is fouled by Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III, left, is found by Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) looks to shoot a basket against Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

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The Associated Press

Ian Nicholas Quillen

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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