Michael Porter Jr. scores 22 as Nets beat Wizards 131-122 to stay unbeaten in preseason

The Brooklyn Nets improved to 3-0 in the preseason with a 131-122 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday at Capital One Arena, led by 22 points and four rebounds from Michael Porter Jr.

Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire reported that Nolan Traore added 17 points and two assists off the bench, while Julius Randle finished with 14 points and nine assists. Washington dropped to 2-1.

Brooklyn creates separation in the third

A high-scoring opening half left Brooklyn ahead just 73-72. Renzo Salao’s recap for Bullets Forever described the Nets closing the third quarter on a 15-2 run as Washington’s offense became less secure with the ball. Brooklyn entered the fourth ahead 103-94 after limiting the Wizards to 22 points in the third.

That stretch mattered more than the early shooting exchange. Washington had stayed close behind Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George, who combined for eight first-half 3-pointers. Bub Carrington then scored 11 points in the fourth, but the Wizards could not erase Brooklyn’s advantage.

Porter and Sharpe return, Randle distributes

Porter returned after missing Brooklyn’s previous game with left wrist soreness. Day’Ron Sharpe was also back after sitting out with left shoulder soreness, according to Nets Wire. Keon Ellis remained in the starting lineup despite those returns.

Randle’s nine assists gave Brooklyn another productive look at its new forward partnership. Traore’s scoring supplied a different source of offense from the bench. These are exhibition results, not proof of a settled regular-season rotation, but Brooklyn now has three wins from three preseason games.

George leads Washington

George finished with 21 points and four assists. Coulibaly scored 19, while AJ Dybantsa and Carrington added 14 apiece. Trae Young recorded 11 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes, according to Nets Wire.

Washington’s next preseason game is Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. For the Wizards, the third-quarter lapse interrupted an otherwise competitive offensive night and ended their unbeaten exhibition start.