Pro Sports

Kuzma, Beal lead Wizards to 117-98 rout of 76ers

Posted January 17, 2022 6:00 am

By NOAH TRISTER

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, left, fouls Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Kyle Kuzma had 15 points and 16 rebounds, and Bradley Beal added 13 points in his return from a three-game absence to lift the Washington Wizards to a 117-98 victory over Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. missed a second straight game after entering health and safety protocols. Assistant Pat Delany, who coached the team Saturday, also entered the protocols, forcing assistant Joseph Blair to take over for this game.

Beal had been out since entering the protocols himself, but he returned and scored 11 points in the first quarter. Washington went on an early 11-0 run and never looked back.

Embiid scored 32 points for the 76ers, but he was on the receiving end of the game's biggest highlight when Kuzma dunked over him in the second quarter. Philadelphia lost for only the second time in its last 11 games.

After the Wizards led 61-55 at halftime, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored seven quick points in the third quarter, including a 3-pointer that put Washington up 72-59.

It was a six-point lead early in the fourth before the Wizards went on a 22-5 run to put the game away.

Washington had seven players in double figures. Montrezl Harrel led the way with 18 points, and Thomas Bryant had 15.

CROWD PLEASER

Kuzma dunked over Embiid with one hand to give the Wizards a 58-47 lead. Moments later, he blocked a shot attempt by Embiid at the other end.

TIP-INS

76ers: Andre Drummond and coach Doc Rivers were both called for technical fouls. ... Philadelphia was without Danny Green (right hip) for a third straight game, and Matisse Thybulle (right shoulder) was out for a second in a row. ... Tyrese Maxey (18 points) was the only player besides Embiid in double figures for the 76ers.

Wizards: Bryant and Harrell were called for technicals. ... Caldwell-Pope scored 14 points, and Corey Kispert and Rui Hachimura contributed 11 each.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host Orlando on Wednesday night.

Wizards: Host Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

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Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after he was called for a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. The play was reviewed and reversed and the foul charged to Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21). (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) loses the ball next to Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (8), of Japan, shoots next to Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Washington Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

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