Warriors Narrowly Defeat Wizards Despite Tanking Efforts

Golden State extends winning streak to three games despite missing key players

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:27am

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The Golden State Warriors narrowly defeated the Washington Wizards 131-126 in a game that highlighted the Wizards' tanking efforts. With the Wizards intentionally leaving their young center Alex Sarr in the game despite foul trouble, the Warriors were able to eke out the victory and extend their winning streak to three games.

Why it matters

The Warriors have been trying to stay afloat in the playoff race since star player Steph Curry went down with an injury in January. This win against a tanking Wizards team, despite missing several key players, shows the Warriors are finding ways to win and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The details

The Wizards, who have a 17-56 record and are trying to stack up losses, left center Alex Sarr in the game despite him picking up his fifth foul in the third quarter. This allowed the Warriors to take advantage and pull out the victory. Kristaps Porzingis led the Warriors with 28 points, while Gui Santos added 27. The Wizards were led by Bilal Coulibaly's 21 points and Will Riley's 19.

  • With 5:31 remaining in the third quarter, Draymond Green drew Sarr's sixth foul.
  • The Warriors led 38-25 after the first quarter and 72-60 at halftime.

The players

Alex Sarr

A young center for the Washington Wizards who picked up five fouls early in the third quarter, but was left in the game by the Wizards' coaching staff as part of their tanking efforts.

Brian Keefe

The head coach of the Washington Wizards, who elected to leave Sarr in the game despite his foul trouble, as part of the team's tanking strategy.

Kristaps Porzingis

The Warriors' star player who scored 28 points in the game, including 11 in the first quarter.

Gui Santos

A Warriors player who scored 27 points, including a key reverse layup to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Bilal Coulibaly

The Wizards' leading scorer with 21 points.

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What they’re saying

“For a tanking Washington franchise (17-56) trying to stack as many losses as it could, it was business as usual for a team that recently snapped a 16-game losing skid”

— Joseph Dycus, Author

What’s next

The Warriors will attempt to extend their winning streak to four games when they face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

The takeaway

Despite missing key players and facing a Wizards team intentionally trying to lose, the Warriors were able to grind out a victory, showing their resilience and determination to stay in the playoff race.