Jordan Poole’s first time as a bench participant with the Washington Wizards didn’t go as deliberate.
The 24-year-old guard — who performed a vital bench function within the Warriors’ 2022 championship run earlier than being traded final July — raised eyebrows when he turned over the ball within the second half of a 130-110 blowout loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
With slightly greater than 30 seconds left within the third quarter, Poole went to inbound the ball however he as an alternative appeared handy the rock over to Nuggets level guard Jamal Murray — who made a straightforward layup on the opposite finish of the courtroom to increase their result in 101-83 at Ball Enviornment in Denver.
Poole completed with 18 factors off the bench and shot simply 4-of-17 from the sphere.
However the third-quarter turnover is what actually had some followers scratching their head.
“Jordan poole is making an attempt his finest,” Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) wrote in a put up on X, together with the play.
“There’s no manner,” a separate X user posted.
Poole hesitated a couple of instances earlier than sending the quick move that was intercepted by Murray — a mistake he instantly regretted, based on his physique language.
Poole put his arms up within the air by his head and regarded confused earlier than he made his manner again down the courtroom.
Wizards guard Corey Kispert ran threw three Nuggets defenders and was calling for the inbound move proper in entrance of Poole.
Kispert — who was a candidate to switch Poole within the beginning lineup when he was moved to the bench for Thursday’s sport — appeared annoyed afterward.
It was an uphill battle for the Wizards, particularly within the second half.
Within the fourth quarter, three of Washington’s first 5 possessions resulted in steals by Nuggets gamers.
Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe stated Poole would transfer to the bench in opposition to Denver on Thursday after he had began his first 52 video games in Washington.
He averaged 15.6 factors, 2.4 rebounds and three.7 assists on 40.0 p.c taking pictures in that span.
The Warriors traded Poole to Washington in July after he performed a vital sixth-man function within the Warriors’ playoff run two years in the past.
However issues are going a lot in another way within the nation’s capital.
The Wizards (9-46) are 14th within the Jap Convention, only one spot above the dead-last Detroit Pistons.
They go to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.