CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George lead Wizards' second-half rally over the Grizzlies 130-122

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) —

CJ McCollum and Kyshawn George scored 28 points each keying a second-half comeback as the Washington Wizards erased a 20-point deficit and defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 130-122 on Saturday night.

Alex Sarr added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Washington. The Wizards snapped a seven-game losing streak in Memphis, where they hadn't won since Jan. 5, 2018. Marvin Bagley had 16 points. McCollum was 4 of 5 from outside the arc in the second half. George added seven assists and seven rebounds.

Santi Aldama led Memphis with a career-high 37 points and 10 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 22 and Cam Spencer added 19 for Memphis.

The game was tied at 115 with 4:31 left in the game. A 3-pointer from Sarr gave the Wizards a 121-119 lead with 2:16 left, and Washington didn't trailed the rest of the way.

With various injuries, Memphis had only nine players available. Brandon Clarke went out in the first quarter with right calf soreness, then Jackson and Jock Landale were saddled with five fouls apiece, allowing the Wizards to claw their way back in the third quarter.

McCollum's layup in the last second of the third pulled the Wizards even at 95 entering the fourth. Washington shot 63% while outscoring the Grizzlies 42-27 in the frame. And what had been a 20-point Memphis lead had disappeared.

The Wizards stayed close through the midway point of the second quarter when Memphis had a 17-5 rally. That fueled the Grizzlies to a 68-53 halftime lead as Aldama had 22 points and Jackson added 20.

Tre Johnson had 12 points off the Washington bench.

Wizards: Host San Antonio on Sunday.

Grizzlies: Visit Oklahoma City on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama grabs a rebound ahead of Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington, right, passes the ball over Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) handles the ball against Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum, center left, fouls Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Australia retained the Ashes with two tests to spare after paceman Mitchell Starc took three of the last four wickets to blunt England's defiant comeback in the third cricket test.

Australia started Day 5 needing four wickets to retain the Ashes, with England resuming at 6-207 and still 228 runs away from the victory target of 435 that would have required a world record to achieve.

Starc took the only wicket in the morning session — Jamie Smith for 60 — as England piled on 102 runs.

England's rally had narrowed the Ashes equation at lunch on the last day: Australia needed three wickets to clinch the old urn in Adelaide and England needed 126 runs to keep the five-match series alive.

With England's lower-order doggedly mounting pressure and Australia's attack missing veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who limped off the field with an injured hamstring, the leading bowler in the series delivered for the hosts.

Starc was voted player of the match in Australia's eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, took the wickets of Will Jacks and Jofra Archer before Scott Boland finished it off.

England was all out for 352, giving Australia an 82-run victory.

The fourth test will start Boxing Day in Melbourne.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Mitchell Starc, right, celebrates the wicket of England's Will Jacks, left, during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

England's Jamie Smith bats during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

England's Jamie Smith, left, and Will Jacks walk from the field as rain delays play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Jake Weatherald fields near the boundary during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Nathan Lyon walks from the field during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

England's Jamie Smith bats during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)