WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Sarr scored 20 points and blocked a career-best six shots to help the Washington Wizards to a 116-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
CJ McCollum added 16 points for Washington (7-23), which earned its first back-to-back victories of the season and second win over Memphis in nine days. McCollum scored six in the fourth quarter.
The Wizards outrebounded the Grizzlies 54-42 and overcame 19 turnovers — eight alone by Bub Carrington. Washington's Justin Champagnie had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Ja Morant added 21 for Memphis (15-17), which failed to reach the .500 mark for the first time since the Grizzlies were 3-3 following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31.
They also fell short of reaching .500 in their 130-122 home loss to Washington on Dec. 20.
After the Wizards built a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter with a 26-7 run, the Grizzlies closed to 108-107 on Santi Aldama’s 3-pointer from the right wing with 2:52 left.
But McCollum and Khris Middleton combined to score the last eight points while Washington held Memphis scoreless for the next 2:35.
Morant then hit a dunk and added a late 3-pointer off a turnover to close it to 114-112 with 6 seconds remaining, but Middleton's two free throws sealed it.
Grizzlies: Host Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Wizards: Close a three-game homestand Monday against Phoenix.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum (3) scores a basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Christian Koloko during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) grabs a rebound against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) dunks the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase broke out of a touchdown drought that lasted over two months by scoring twice on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Chase hauled in his first touchdown since Oct. 16 late in the second quarter of the Bengals' 37-14 win. He added another TD in the third.
He finished with seven receptions for 60 yards. Chase also became the first player to record at least 80 receptions, 1000 yards and seven touchdown receptions in his each of first five years in the NFL.
“I really wasn’t aware of (Chase’s touchdown drought) until Tee (Higgins) pointed it out in the last game, during the game,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “We’re just going to go out there and call it the way we see it. The play he scored on is a play we’ve run 100 times. (Chase) did a great job making people miss and getting in the end zone, and then the other one before the half was a really good play design ... so that one worked out well.”
Chase's scoreless stretch included a game that he missed due to suspension after he spat on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Chase said he was itching to get into the end zone. He said that as he walked into the stadium on Sunday, he told himself he was going to make sure that he scored.
When he reached the end zone for the first time, he celebrated with an emphatic spike of the ball.
“I didn’t even know what celebration I wanted to do,” Chase said. “That’s how I know I haven’t been in there in a minute.”
The first touchdown was all effort and athleticism. Chase caught a bubble screen near the left sideline and there were multiple defenders in his way. With a juke, a spin move and a sprint, Chase reached the end zone.
“I think everything is just instincts in that moment,” he said.
On his second touchdown, the Bengals’ play design got him matched up against a cornerback who has spent a lot of the year on the Cardinals’ practice squad. Chase quickly created separation against Darren Hall and scored on a slant from 8 yards out.
For the second straight week, the Bengals’ offense seemingly couldn’t be stopped.
“That’s what we expected from the beginning of the season,” Chase said. “It didn’t go our way, but we know what we’re capable of, especially with the opportunities we put ourselves in. We just have to execute.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor celebrates with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) looks to get past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, right, scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase runs towards fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
