After another frustrating performance, the Washington Wizards held a players-only meeting following their loss, a move that signaled the locker room\u2019s growing urgency and desire to reset the season\u2019s direction. Coach Brian Keefe was adamant that the team did not respond well to adversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, before the meeting took place, the Wizards\u2019 showed flashes of what this group can become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kyshawn George Delivers a Breakout Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rookie forward Kyshawn George turned in the most complete performance of his young career, finishing with a team-leading 29 points (9-16 FG, 5-10 3PT), six rebounds, and five assists in 32 minutes. It marked his first career 25\/5\/5 game and added to a rapidly growing r\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n George also continues to evolve as a consistent perimeter threat, hitting multiple threes in eight games, including three of his last four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His play stood out in a game that ultimately slipped away, and it set the stage for his candid reflection after the players-only meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been stagnant for the past couple of games, and our goal is to actually get better and build something,\u201d George told Double Take Sports. \u201cSo just being able to speak to each other with no filter, I think that will eventually help us go in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n CJ McCollum Adds Steady Veteran Presence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CJ McCollum added 17 points, three assists, two steals, and multiple made threes for the fifth straight game. He has now scored 10+ points in nine games this season and continues to provide much-needed stability on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But McCollum\u2019s value extends beyond numbers. After the players-only meeting, he gave a clear and honest assessment of why the conversation needed to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s helpful, just being able to talk through things we\u2019re seeing out there,\u201d McCollum said. \u201cCoaches can only do so much. We\u2019re out there playing, so we have to be on the same accord and understand what\u2019s going well, what\u2019s going wrong, and how we can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the kind of veteran message this young roster needs to hear and embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coulibaly and Middleton Offer Quiet Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bilal Coulibaly\u00a0continues to prove his versatility, finishing with six points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. It marked his\u00a0ninth career game\u00a0with multiple steals and blocks and his fourth game in five appearances with at least one steal. This was Coulibaly\u2019s first game back after injury<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Khris Middleton added 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, his third straight game with at least one takeaway, helping keep Washington within reach during key stretches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n