Wizards’ Bradley Beal hits game-winning three to beat Spurs

Washington got out to a 19-2 lead after just five minutes of play, but they surrendered that lead by the end of the first quarter. “I really don’t know how to answer that question”, he said.

After another slow start, and failure to execute late, the Spurs give this one to the Wizards, and fall to 3-2 for the season. They remained in front until Wall’s 3-pointer and Beal’s dunk put the Wizards up 92-90 with 3:22 remaining.

Kawhi Leonard led San Antonio with 23 points, Tony Parker scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Wall split two free throws for a 97-96 lead with 51 seconds left.

Beal has scored at least 24 points in each of his first three games, including Saturday’s 117-110 loss to the New York Knicks.

Men’s basketball: North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige might miss the men’s basketball showdown December 1 between the No. 1 Tar Heels and No. 3 Maryland in Chapel Hill. Beal responded with his third 3-pointer of the game.

The Silver and Black struggled to keep up with the Wizards in transition, and are still figuring out how to control the pace on offense the way they used to. Wall had three assists on their first three possessions before the crowd of 17,721.

The Wizards take their act on the road in their next two games, facing the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks Friday and Saturday, respectively while the Spurs return home Saturday to take on the Charlotte Hornets.

“We had turnovers that weren’t caused”, Aldridge said. Coach Gregg Popovich, asked before the game about preparing for Wall and Beal. The Spurs went 0-for-8 and found themselves down 19-2 to the Wizards less than halfway through the opening quarter.

Beal finished with a game-high 25 points on an efficient 11-of-22 field goal shooting with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

Leonard scored 18 points in the first half and Porter topped Washington with 15.