Wizards improve after shifting goals and increasing accountability

A players-only meeting on Nov. 16 helped tighten accountability, and Washington has won five of seven games since Dec. 26, including a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic.

The Washington Wizards have shown clearer effort and better results in recent weeks after a long losing stretch. Coach Brian Keefe points to steady, day-to-day work, while players say a players-only meeting in mid-November helped sharpen expectations. The team was 1-12 after a Nov. 16 loss to the Brooklyn Nets and later adjusted rotations and standards for effort. Since Dec. 26 the Wizards have won five of seven games and recorded a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic. Key details: - A players-only meeting took place on Nov. 16 after a 129-106 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. - That loss left Washington with a 1-12 record and an 11-game losing streak. - Since Dec. 26 the Wizards have won five of seven games, and the team compiled a 9-13 record after the Brooklyn loss. - Cam Whitmore was benched after an early-December loss to the Boston Celtics; his reduced minutes and injuries to others led to more playing time for Justin Champagnie, Will Riley and Jamir Watkins. - Players and coaches report increased accountability and effort; Washington forced 19 turnovers in the win over Orlando, and contributors such as Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Bilal Coulibaly and Marvin Bagley III have shown improvement. Summary: The club’s renewed emphasis on standards, rotations and player-to-player accountability has coincided with clearer effort and more competitive performances from younger players. Undetermined at this time.