WASHINGTON (AP) — Trae Young showed off plenty of tricks in his debut for the Washington Wizards.
On his team's first offensive possession he breezed in for a layup. Later in the first half, Young faked a behind-the-back pass with his right hand and then switched the ball to his left before making a contested layup.
In the third quarter, he made a 3-pointer while being fouled and threw a pass between a defender's legs to set up a layup.
“I just wanted to come out here and just have some fun,” Young said. “Get the first one out of the way.”
Young had 12 points and six assists in just over 19 minutes in his first game with the Wizards, a 122-112 loss to Utah on Thursday night. Washington acquired Young from Atlanta in January, but he hadn't played since then because of quadriceps and knee issues.
There was a noticeable buzz in the crowd when he began the game in the starting lineup, and although Young was on a minutes restriction, he had enough time to give Washington fans a sense of what he can provide — almost nonstop action at the offensive end.
“You felt the electricity in the building,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “Our fans have been terrific this year. I'm glad they came out to show support today. You could definitely feel it.”
Young said he didn't get much sleep Wednesday night.
“I was really looking forward to today,” he said. “Just coming out here and shaking off whatever rust I would have, just from missing a few months of basketball.”
Although Young was the main attraction, a couple rookies upstaged him a bit. Utah's Ace Bailey scored a career-high 32 points, and Juju Reese — in just his third NBA game — had 18 points and 20 rebounds for Washington.
Tre Johnson, drafted by the Wizards one spot after Bailey last year, scored 15 points, all on 3-pointers.
The connection between Young and Johnson will be one to watch. Of course, the tandem that might really bring attention to Washington is Young and Anthony Davis, but the latter still hasn't played since the Wizards traded for him last month.
Davis has been out because of ligament damage in his left hand. The team said Thursday he's been cleared to began limited on-court basketball activities and will be evaluated again in two weeks.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Trae Young walks out onto the court to start his first game as a Washington Wizard during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young (3) goes to shoot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday March 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Matthew Wood scored twice to lead the Nashville Predators to a 6-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists, Nicolas Hague, Erik Haula and Luke Evangelista also scored for the Predators. Juuse Saros made 20 saves for Nashville, which snapped a three-game losing streak. The Predators trail the Seattle Kraken for the Western Conference’s second wild card by three points.
Charlie McAviy and Viktor Arvidsson each had a goal and an assist and Morgan Geekie also scored for Boston. Joonas Korpisalo made 24 saves for the Bruins, who have lost two of their last three games. Boston is one point ahead of Columbus for the Eastern Conference’s second wild card.
Hague scored the game’s first goal at 13:53 of the opening period on a slap shot between Korpisalo's pads.
Wood made it 2-0 at 1:24 of the second with a short-handed goal.
Just as coincidental penalties to Wood and Boston’s Mark Kastelic were expiring, Nick Perbix intercepted a pass in the Boston zone and went the other way. Wood exited the box and joined the rush, and Perbix left a drop pass for Wood, who scored his 11th of the season.
Geekie cut Nashville's lead in half at 3:30 of the second on a power play. The goal was Geekie’s 34th of the season, a career high.
Haula and Forsberg scored goals 2:18 apart midway through the second.
Ryan Ufko recalled earlier Thursday from Milwaukee of the AHL assisted on the Forsberg goal for his first NHL point. Nashville has traded four roster players since Tuesday, triggering multiple call-ups from Milwaukee.
Wood struck again with 5:16 remaining in the second.
McAvoy and Arvidsson scored in the third before Evangelista's empty-net goal punctuated the scoring.
Bruins: Host the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
Predators: At the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Nashville Predators left wing Zachary L'heureux (68) chases the puck past Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) skates the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot on goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) blocks a shot on goal by Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood, right, scores a goal past Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
