Washington Wizards Team Report - November 26

(Basketball News) - The Washington Wizards picked up a big victory on Tuesday evening, edging the Portland Trail Blazers, 81-80, at the Rose Garden.

The Wizards were without guard Gilbert Arenas for the game, as he was placed on the injured list Tuesday with a severe abdominal strain. Arenas, Washington’s leading scorer, suffered the injury with five minutes left in Sunday’s game against Seattle.

Even without Arenas, Washington was able to stop a two-game skid.

Larry Hughes finished with a team-high 22 points and scored the winning basket with just 10.4 seconds left. Etan Thomas added 12 points off the bench for the Wizards.

In a game where no team led by double digits, Portland went on a 14-6 run late in the fourth quarter to take a two-point lead. Qyntel Woods’ basket capped off the burst with 2:32 remaining to put the Trail Blazers ahead, 76-74.

But the Portland margin was cut to one at 80-79, and Hughes’ drive through the lane put the Wizards ahead by one for the final tally.

The Wizards take the court again on Friday when they battle the powerful LA Lakers at the Staples Center.