UCLA is 9-1 against Washington since January of 2021, and they’ll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. Both will face off in a Big Ten battle at 11:00 p.m. ET at Alaska Airlines Arena. Despite being away, the Bruins are looking at a 5.5-point advantage in the spread.
UCLA will head into Tuesday’s contest hoping to keep the good times rolling: they proved they can win big on Friday (they won by 24) but on Tuesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They narrowly escaped with a win as the team sidled past Wisconsin 85-83. Having run the score up that high, both teams probably have some extra defensive drills coming up.
UCLA can attribute much of their success to Aday Mara, who made all 7 shots he took racking up 22 points plus five rebounds and two blocks. Mara had some trouble finding his footing against Rutgers last Monday, so this was a step in the right direction. Another player making a difference was Sebastian Mack, who scored 19 points.
Meanwhile, Washington’s recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Tuesday after their fifth straight loss. They took an 82-71 hit to the loss column at the hands of Oregon. That’s two games in a row now that the Huskies have lost by exactly 11 points.
Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Zoom Diallo, who went 7 for 9 en route to 18 points. His performance made up for a slower game against Purdue last Wednesday. The team also got some help courtesy of Great Osobor, who had 20 points plus eight rebounds.
Washington struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only four offensive rebounds. That’s the fewest offensive rebounds they’ve managed all season.
UCLA’s victory bumped their record up to 13-6. As for Washington, their defeat dropped their record down to 10-9.
UCLA beat Washington 69-58 in their previous meeting back in December of 2024. The rematch might be a little tougher for UCLA since the squad won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
UCLA is a solid 5.5-point favorite against Washington, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Bruins as a 4.5-point favorite.
UCLA has won 9 out of their last 10 games against Washington.
Dec 03, 2024 – UCLA 69 vs. Washington 58
Feb 29, 2024 – Washington 94 vs. UCLA 77
Jan 14, 2024 – UCLA 73 vs. Washington 61
Feb 02, 2023 – UCLA 70 vs. Washington 61
Jan 01, 2023 – UCLA 74 vs. Washington 49
Feb 28, 2022 – UCLA 77 vs. Washington 66
Feb 19, 2022 – UCLA 76 vs. Washington 50
Dec 05, 2021 – UCLA 2 vs. Washington 0
Feb 13, 2021 – UCLA 64 vs. Washington 61
Jan 16, 2021 – UCLA 81 vs. Washington 76
The Washington Huskies are set to take on the UCLA Bruins in an exciting NCAA Basketball matchup. If you’re looking to catch all the action live, here’s how you can watch the game:
Date: Thursday, February 25
Time: 9:00 PM ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN or ESPN app
Both teams are coming off strong performances and are looking to secure a crucial win in this matchup. Don’t miss out on the excitement – tune in to watch the Washington Huskies take on the UCLA Bruins live on ESPN.
G- Dylan Andrews, Jr. 6’2, 180: 7.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 42.9% FG, 32.1% 3pt, 50.0% FT
With a deeper and more talented roster, Andrews has seen his playing time and scoring numbers go down but been better as a distributor and more efficient when he does shoot the ball. It’s fair to question Andrews’ toughness a little bit as he has just 7 free throw attempts in 17 games which may be the lowest ratio I’ve ever seen for a player who has more 2-point attempts than 3-point attempts. He’s also a terrible rebounder.
Last game vs. UW: 12 pts (5/12 FG), 1 reb, 2 ast
G- Skyy Clark, Jr. 6’3, 210: 7.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 43.9% FG, 35.2% 3pt, 74.1% FT
Clark is already on his 3rd school in 3 years after transferring from Illinois to Louisville to UCLA. He has taken a major step back in terms of usage rate playing on a much more loaded roster which has dropped his counting stats quite a bit. His efficiency stats are very close to last year though except for his steal rate which has jumped through the roof (but is back down to career totals in B1G play so far).
Every coach in the country would love a player like Johnson. He transferred from rival USC and on a per game basis is 4th in points, 1st in rebounds, 1st in assists, and 1st in steals. He does all the little things and completely shuts down the best wing on the other team. After a slow shooting start to the year he has also picked things up from beyond the arc and is shooting 38% on 3-pointers in conference play.
Last game vs. UW: 3 pts (1/7 FG), 3 reb, 2 ast
F- Eric Dailey, So. 6’8, 230: 11.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 52.3% FG, 34.7% 3pt, 73.6% FT
It has been a smooth transition for Dailey after transferring from Oklahoma State and he has seen his production go up across the board despite playing almost identical minutes. He’s shooting better from 2, 3, and the FT line while averaging more assists, blocks, and steals per game. Seems good. Dailey is capable of stepping outside and knocking down a 3-point shot but only takes about 2-3 tries per game from there and prefers to do his damage in the paint.
Last game vs. UW: 6 pts (3/7 FG), 4 reb, 4 ast
C- Tyler Bilodeau Jr. 6’9, 230: 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.5 bpg, 51.0% FG, 39.6% 3pt, 71.7% FT
The Huskies tried hard to get the Kennewick, WA native in the portal but lost out to UCLA after he transferred out from Oregon State. He’s playing most of his minutes as a small ball 5 now in the UCLA starting lineup and leads the Bruins in scoring. He isn’t the defensive rebounder or shot blocker you’d like at the center spot but his shooting allows UCLA to play a 5-out offense that stretches the floor and puts pressure on opposing defenses. And UCLA still has one of the best defenses in the country anyways so it’s working.
Last game vs. UW: 16 pts (6/8 FG), 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
The Outlook
The last time these two teams squared off, UCLA had played one of the easiest schedules in the country and had a 6-1 record with one of the best defenses in the country. Also, their city wasn’t on fire (hoping for a swift recovery for everyone impacted by the wildfires including my sister-in-law whose school she teaches at was just a few blocks away from burning down).
Things have of course changed. UCLA beat west coast rivals UW, Oregon, Arizona, and Gonzaga but also had a span losing 5 of 6 games. Mick Cronin came out of that stretch with an all-time tirade in which he called out numerous players by name and called his players “delusional” and “soft”. That didn’t stop the losing immediately but the Bruins look like they may have pulled out of their tailspin by most recently sweeping a 2-game homestand against Iowa and Wisconsin.
Defense is still very much the calling card of this Bruins squad. They’re 2nd nationally in turnover rate on the defensive end and get a takeaway on 1/4th of opponents’ possessions. That has been an issue for Washington at times this season but the Dawgs only committed 9 giveaways at Oregon so will need to find a way to keep the turnover count in that range to keep things close (it was 12 last game against UCLA including 8 from Osobor).
The big change in UCLA’s defense has been that they’re much more prone to getting bombed from 3-point range. Over UCLA’s last 5 games, opponents are shooting 43% from deep including both Michigan and Wisconsin making 15 three-pointers on at least 50% shooting (although UCLA squeaked out the win over Wisconsin anyways somehow). That’s not exactly an area where UCLA should worry that UW will beat them since the Huskies have never made more than 10 in a game this season.
Depth has been a major key for this UCLA team as they run 13-deep with legitimate scholarship players. Cronin has slowly trimmed the rotation though and they now play more of a standard 8-man rotation and only 7 players got at least 9 minutes in their last game. 7’3 Spanish sophomore Aday Mara had a breakout performance against the Badgers with 22 points in 21 minutes on 7/7 shooting. He was 2/2 against the Huskies and there’s a chance he gives UW real problems if he plays as much as he did earlier this week. Washington has no one with a realistic chance to defend him with his height.
Washington is technically done with arguably the hardest 5-game stretch in program history where every team was ranked in the top-20. Include Maryland at the front end and that’s 6 straight games against teams in the top-26 at KenPom. UCLA is currently at #30 at KenPom so are only barely below that barrier. Having the game at home still makes this at least reasonable to think an upset is possible which starts a stretch of 4 straight actually winnable games (win expectancy between 34-42% in all of them per KenPom). Coming out and going 2-2 or even 3-1 needs to happen if the Huskies want any shot of qualifying for the Big Ten tournament for which the bottom 3 schools miss.
Washington may get helped out towards the back end of that stretch. The Huskies get a full week off after this with their next game coming on Saturday 2/1. That extra week off should mean there’s a chance we actually see Franck Kepnang and/or Dominique Diomande on the court. For now though, this Husky squad just can’t seem to sustain high quality play for long enough to stay competitive with tournament-caliber teams. They played a great final 30 minutes against Illinois. It was a great first half against Purdue. A very capable first 35 minutes at Oregon. At some point though UCLA will go on a run fueled by UW turnovers and poor shooting and that will be too big a hole from which to dig out.
The Washington Men’s Basketball team is gearing up to take on UCLA in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams are looking to secure a crucial win as they battle it out on the court.
Washington has been performing well this season, with a strong defense and impressive offensive skills. UCLA, on the other hand, has shown their prowess on the court with their fast-paced style of play.
Fans can catch all the action live by tuning in to ESPN to watch the game. The game is set to tip off at [insert time] on [insert date]. Don’t miss out on the excitement as these two powerhouse teams face off in what promises to be an intense game.
Be sure to tune in and support your favorite team as they battle it out for victory. Who will come out on top? Don’t miss a minute of the action as Washington Men’s Basketball takes on UCLA.
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Three days after his breakout game, when Aday Mara earned big minutes because of a favorable matchup, the UCLA center found himself needed under far different circumstances.
The Bruins had no choice but to use a heavy helping of the 7-foot-3 sophomore on Friday night after forward Tyler Bilodeau turned his ankle in the game’s early going and was limited to just three minutes.
Mara didn’t disappoint in his career-high 30 minutes inside Alaska Airlines Arena, dominating on both ends during UCLA’s 65-60 victory over Washington. His two baskets in the final two minutes made sure his team didn’t falter against a team desperate for a win on its home court.
“What he’s doing in these last couple of games is what he does every day in practice,” point guard Dylan Andrews said of Mara, who finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots. “Aday’s a monster and I’m glad people are starting to see that.”
With Washington surging toward what looked like an epic comeback, Mara collected a loose ball along the baseline for a jump hook that put the Bruins ahead by six points with 1 minute 59 seconds left.
Then, after Washington’s D.J. Davis buried a three-pointer, Mara made another jump hook to put UCLA up by five.
Huskies guard Zoom Diallo’s putback pulled his team to within three with 41 seconds left, but Andrews — who had made only three of 12 shots to that point — countered with a step-back three-pointer with 17 seconds to go.
“I just stepped back,” Andrews said, “and, man, thank God I got to see a shot go in.”
After UCLA guard Skyy Clark came up with a steal and was fouled, sending him to the free-throw line, a crowd that had been roaring only moments earlier streamed toward the exits as a few pockets of Bruins fans commenced an eight-clap.
It was UCLA’s first road triumph in the Big Ten since early December against Oregon, when Andrews hit a winning three-pointer.
This time, Washington disrupted the play the Bruins wanted, forcing Andrews to improvise. He credited late-night shooting sessions and others for boosting his confidence in that big moment.
“Just my teammates and coach talking to me, letting me know, just, next shot, don’t worry about the last one that you missed,” Andrews said.
Winners of three consecutive games, the Bruins (14-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten) are on a roll heading into the crosstown rivalry game Monday against USC at the Galen Center.
They needed a collective effort against the Huskies without Bilodeau, their leading scorer. Clark finished with 12 points and forward Kobe Johnson had 11 points and nine rebounds. Guard Sebastian Mack contributed two three-pointers to go with a steal and a charge taken during a critical sequence in the second half.
Forward Great Osobor scored 19 points for Washington (10-10, 1-8), which has lost six straight games.
“It just shows that whatever’s going on in a game,” said Andrews, who finished with nine points, three assists and three turnovers, “we can get through it no matter what.”
The latest turmoil came only a few minutes into the game when Bilodeau went down and limped toward the bench, eventually pounding a trainer’s table with his hand in disgust. Bilodeau re-entered the game a few minutes later but was removed after only 35 seconds, never to return.
“I put him in and I didn’t like the way he was moving,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said, “so I’m more worried about his career and the rest of our season, and like I told the team, we’ve got enough players — I’ve got confidence in you guys.”
His belief in Mara continues to rise, particularly after the big man showed he could more than hold his own against Washington’s physical front line that included 6-foot-11 Franck Kepnang in addition to the smaller but more mobile Osobor. Mara made five of 10 shots but could become even more efficient, his coach suggested, with a few tweaks in his game.
“Sometimes he gets too cute and when he gets too cute, Washington had two, three guys on him,” Cronin said. “You know, he’s just got to be confident and turn and score. He’s going to shoot 50% — minimum — and I’ll take that every night.
“You know, when you can’t tackle him and what was happening early was just mind-boggling unbelievable with the forearm stuff [Washington used to defend Mara]. If you’ve got to play him straight up, he’s hard to stop, I keep telling you this, and you’re seeing it now.”
Mara said he wasn’t tired after his 51 minutes over the last two games surpassed his usage over the previous eight games combined — including one game in which he remained on the bench because of a dreaded Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision.
“I knew that Tyler wasn’t going to be able to play because of his injury,” Mara said, “so I just tried to not make stupid fouls, I tried to make a rhythm so I don’t be too tired.”
How did he feel after the game?
“I’m surprised that I didn’t get tired that much, I’m surprised about that,” Mara said, “but I was feeling good.”
The Bruins were feeling even better about their prospects given the way their big man stood tall once more.
“We love having Aday on the court,” Andrews said. “He’s 7 foot, he takes up so much space, rebounds for us, gives us energy, so who doesn’t want a guy like Aday?”
In a thrilling matchup, UCLA managed to hold off Washington to secure its third consecutive victory. The Bruins showcased their resilience and determination as they battled against a tough Washington team.
From the opening tip-off, both teams traded baskets and played tough defense, making it a close and competitive game throughout. UCLA’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with players stepping up and making big plays when it mattered most.
The Bruins’ defense also played a crucial role in securing the win, forcing turnovers and getting key stops down the stretch. Their ability to execute on both ends of the court was a testament to their growth and improvement as a team.
With this win, UCLA continues to build momentum and solidify its position as a contender in the conference. The team’s chemistry and cohesiveness were on full display, as they worked together to overcome a talented Washington squad.
As they look ahead to their next matchup, UCLA will surely be riding high on this victory and using it as motivation to keep their winning streak alive. Fans can expect more exciting games and impressive performances from this resilient Bruins team.
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Is Luka Doncic playing tonight? (Image via USA TODAY Sports)
Luka Doncic’s injury continues to be a major concern for the Dallas Mavericks as the star guard has been sidelined with a calf injury. As of January 27, 2025, Doncic remains out for the Mavericks’ game against the Washington Wizards, which will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This news comes as the Mavericks are looking to adjust their lineup with several key players on the injury report. Luka Doncic, who has been a driving force for the Dallas Mavericks this season, is not the only notable player absent. Alongside him, the Mavericks will also be missing other key contributors like Dante Exum (wrist), Dereck Lively (ankle), Maxi Kleber (foot), Dwight Powell (hip), and Naji Marshall (illness). The team’s injury woes have significantly affected their lineup, but they will be hoping for positive news regarding Doncic’s recovery.
luka Doncic’s injury report (Image via AP Photo/LM Otero)
The injury to Luka Doncic comes at a critical point in the season, as he has been averaging 24.4 points per game, ranking him among the top scorers in the league. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Dallas Mavericks’ offense and defense, and the team will need players like Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, and P.J. Washington to step up in his place. Dallas, which has posted a 24-22 record so far this season, will need to adjust its game plan to account for Doncic’s absence. Without their star player, the Mavericks are likely to rely more heavily on their shooting and defensive depth, as they face off against the struggling Wizards, who currently hold a 6-38 record. The Dallas Mavericks‘ injury report, especially Doncic’s calf issue, is a key talking point among fans and analysts. While there are no immediate updates on a timetable for his return, Mavericks’ fans will be anxiously awaiting news as the team works to navigate these challenges. The hope is that Luka Doncic will make a full recovery soon and return to the court to help push the Dallas Mavericks back into playoff contention. Also read: Will Nikola Jokic play tonight against the Chicago Bulls? Latest update on the Denver Nuggets star’s injury report (January 27, 2025) For now, the team is in the hands of their remaining healthy players, with the focus on staying competitive in the absence of their star guard. As Dallas faces a tough road ahead, all eyes will be on Doncic’s recovery and whether he can make a swift return to help the Mavericks’ playoff hopes.
The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on the Washington Wizards tonight, but the big question on everyone’s mind is whether star player Luka Doncic will be suiting up for the game. Doncic has been dealing with a nagging injury and his status for tonight’s game is still up in the air.
According to the latest update on the injury report, Doncic is considered questionable for tonight’s game against the Wizards. The Mavericks are being cautious with their young star, as they want him to fully recover before returning to the court.
Doncic has been a key player for the Mavericks this season, averaging impressive numbers across the board. His presence on the court is always felt and his absence would definitely be a blow to the team.
Fans will have to wait for the official announcement closer to game time to see if Doncic will be able to play tonight. In the meantime, Mavericks fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for their star player. Stay tuned for more updates on Luka Doncic’s status for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards. #NBAnews #DallasMavericks #LukaDoncic #WashingtonWizards
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The Washington Capitals and goaltender Logan Thompson have come to an agreement on a six-year, $35.1 million contract extension with a cap hit of $5.85 million.
Thompson, 27, is playing out the final season of a three-year, $2.3 million contract and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The 6-foot-4 netminder is a Vezina Trophy candidate this season with a 22-2-3 record with a .925 save percentage and 2.09 goals against average.
Thompson was acquired by the Capitals last summer from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for two draft picks. He has helped the Capitals to a 33-11-5 record for the best record in the NHL entering Monday’s action.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Golden Knights in 2020, Thompson has a career 78-34-14 record with a 2.55 GAA and .915 save percentage split between the Golden Knights and Capitals.
Thompson helped lead the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2023, going 21-13-3 with a 2.65 GAA and .915 save percentage in the regular season before going down with an injury prior to the playoffs.
The Calgary native represented Canada at the 2022 World Championship where he went 3-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .881 save percentage in a silver-medal finish.
The Washington Capitals have locked in their goaltending future by signing Logan Thompson to a six-year, $35.1 million contract extension. The 25-year-old netminder has been a standout performer for the team since making his debut last season, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.30 goals against average.
Thompson’s stellar play has earned him the trust of the Capitals’ coaching staff and front office, who see him as a key piece of their long-term plans. This extension solidifies Thompson as the team’s goaltender of the future, providing stability between the pipes for years to come.
With Thompson’s contract in place, the Capitals can now focus on building a strong team around him, aiming to compete for the Stanley Cup in the seasons ahead. Fans can look forward to seeing Thompson continue to shine in the crease and lead the team to success. Congratulations to Logan Thompson on his well-deserved extension! #AllCaps #LoganThompson #ContractExtension
The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Logan Thompson to a six-year contract extension that carries a $5.85 million cap hit on Monday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman. The 27-year-old could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
After getting acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights for the 83rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a 2025 third-round pick, Thompson ranks third in the NHL in wins (22) and save percentage (.925) in 27 games. His 2.09 goals-against average is tied for second with Los Angeles Kings and former Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Thompson recorded his first two shutouts of the season in a 2-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on January 16 (when he made 19 saves) and 1-0 overtime victory at the Ottawa Senators (24) two nights later.
In 130 career regular-season NHL games for Washington and Vegas, Thompson has gone 78-34-14 with a .915 save percentage, 2.55 goals-against average, and two shutouts. He won the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 but did not appear in the postseason on Vegas’ championship run.
Washington, who currently leads the NHL with a 33-11-5 record (.724 points percentage), has $69,375,000 committed on their salary cap next season with left-wings Andrew Mangiapane and Jakub Vrana, centers Lars Eller and Nic Dowd, right-wing Taylor Raddysh, defensemen Jakob Chychrun and Dylan McIlrath, and goaltender Charlie Lindgren all eligible to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1 at 12 noon ET. Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev and center Hendrix Lapierre could become restricted free agents that day.
Thompson will start against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday (9 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market).
Hearing Logan Thompson and WASH closing in on something: 6 years, just under $6M-ish
Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077
The Washington Capitals have locked in their goaltender of the future, as they have officially re-signed Logan Thompson to a six-year contract extension. The deal is reportedly worth $30 million, making Thompson one of the highest-paid goaltenders in the league.
Thompson, who was originally drafted by the Capitals in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft, has quickly emerged as a rising star in the league. In his rookie season, he posted a 2.50 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage, solidifying himself as the team’s starting goaltender.
With this contract extension, the Capitals are showing their commitment to Thompson as their long-term solution in net. The 24-year-old netminder has proven himself to be a reliable and consistent presence between the pipes, and the team is confident that he will continue to excel in the years to come.
Fans can expect to see Thompson guarding the crease for the Capitals for years to come, as he looks to lead the team to success and potentially bring a Stanley Cup back to Washington. Congratulations to Logan Thompson on his well-deserved contract extension! #ALLCAPS.
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ASHBURN, Va. – If you’ve spent any time around the Washington Commanders over the past 18 months, the sea change is readily apparent.
Since first-year head coach Dan Quinn was hired last February, the walls of the team auditorium have been adorned with slogans. “Anybody, anywhere, anytime.” And “The only fight that matters is the one we are in.”
The club is preparing for the NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years. That’s because quarterback Jayden Daniels has had perhaps the best rookie year in NFL history. Linebacker Bobby Wagner, who played for Quinn when he coordinated the Seattle Seahawks’ legendary defenses, tight end Zach Ertz, running back Austin Ekeler and rookie defensive back Mike Sainristil are among the newcomers whose impact has been undeniable, if overshadowed by Daniels. Holdovers like Brian Robinson Jr. and longtime team leader Terry McLaurin have flourished.
Players, coaches and staffers now have what had been a luxury in these parts – the ability to focus on winning football games and/or supporting that effort rather than managing or answering questions about the latest scandal or crisis none of them begat. The dissolution of the long-toxic environment allowed for an entirely new culture to fill the vacuum, one built on positivity, brotherhood, accomplishing the task at hand, constant competition and compassion.
It’s called the “Commander Standard.”
“It’s a code we live by,” McLaurin, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, said of a motto that coalesced during offseason training sessions last spring. “No matter if you’ve been here for six years, or you just came in off of free agency or practice squad, whatever.
“When you hold that standard, and you put it in writing, you sign your name to it – you hold yourself accountable to that. And not only do you hold yourself accountable to that, but the other guys in the locker room hold you accountable to that.”
It’s meant highly competitive practice periods. Player input into game plans. Spirited card games in the locker room. Bonding in social situations away from the team’s facility. Quinn’s belief in trying to treat everyone – stars, rookies, vets, journeymen, staff – equally.
Yet his rejection of labels from the outside – like underdog or rebuild – has also shifted the perspective of a team that went 12-5 in the regular season, Washington’s most wins since the legendary 1991 squad cruised to victory in Super Bowl 26, the franchise’s last championship.
“Did we feel dismissed or put off? Yeah, of course some. I think that happened in the opening game,” Quinn said when reflecting on the club’s Week 1 loss at Tampa Bay, when expectations of the Commanders were decidedly lower despite buzz already being generated by Daniels.
“I was like, ‘Hey, (bleep) you, that’s not how it’s going to go down.’ And I was upset, but it wasn’t disrespect. It was dismissiveness, and I felt some kind of way, but it didn’t motivate me more to say that’s how they think of us. … It was, we’re going to be a lot better than what we just showed today. And eventually we’ll show that.”
Dan Quinn’s steady approach produces instant results
Eventually turned into immediately, the team going on a four-game heater while winning seven of its next eight contests after the loss to the Buccaneers, whom the Commanders recently defeated in a wild-card round rematch to spark their current run to Sunday’s NFC title tilt against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Yet it was Quinn’s steadfastness that also allowed Washington to weather adversity, like a three-game slide in November that threatened to derail the team and consign it to another lost season.
“DQ (Quinn), first and foremost, he’s a leader of men. Playing for a coach that allows you to be yourself within the culture is extremely empowering,” said McLaurin.
“When you have that type of trust within someone (coaches and teammates) that you see on a daily basis – sometimes more than your family – it’s really important when you go through the ups and downs of an NFL season.”
Players and assistants repeatedly cited Quinn’s treatment of every week as a championship game as another component to their resilience and near-instant success – but also why this weekend’s game hasn’t drastically altered what’s become a routine mindset around Commanders Park.
“It’s a no-excuse mentality,” said McLaurin, a sixth-year veteran who had been the most recognizable and significant player on the roster in the years before Daniels’ arrival.
“This is a huge game, biggest game that I know I’ve played in my career – (that) a lot of us have played in our careers. But my emotions about this game is this is just what we do, this is what we’ve been doing all season. And so you don’t have to get up and get emotionally hyped or do anything different or extra this week.”
Said punter Tress Way, Washington’s longest-tenured player after 11 seasons near the Beltway: “I don’t think very many guys are lucky enough to have someone like DQ as a head coach. He has a way of addressing everything. He knows our families are texting us. He knows our friends are. None of us tell him that, but he just knows how it goes. His ability to get us locked in on Wednesday practice against Philly this week, it’s just a fun way to compete and to be in the moment, and he has a gift of that.”
The elimination of so many outside distractions, an almost perfectly targeted free-agent haul by Quinn and rookie general manager Adam Peters and a Daniels-led draft class loaded with talent and character sparked optimism in training camp that the quarter-century of futility under Snyder might soon come to an end.
Still, and neither Quinn nor his players will admit it, the results of the universal philosophical buy-in have been nothing less than extraordinary. Win Sunday, and Washington will have as many victories in these playoffs – three – as it had combined from 1992 to 2023.
“(T)he way we live here is different,” said defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. “(Y)ou have to be a little bit crazy to be here. Because the way we do things is not the normal way, and we don’t want it to be the normal way. It’s a special place and everybody – we’ve bought into, ‘Anybody, anywhere, anytime.’ It doesn’t matter. … That’s just the way we live.
“(T)here’s very few times in life that you have opportunity to be part of the change and reap the reward. Usually what happens is a team starts it, and then two years later they win it. We have the opportunity to do something a little bit different. We could be the team that started to turn, and then if we keep on staying focused and win this game, we can reap the reward at the same time and that rarely happens.”
The Jayden Daniels’ factor – and beyond
Of course, Daniels, 24, has been a one-man rarity. He set regular-season rookie quarterback records for completion percentage (69.0%) and rushing yards (891). He lofted a Hail Mary to beat the Chicago Bears, threw an overtime touchdown pass to Ertz to vanquish the Atlanta Falcons, all before engineering postseason road upsets of the Bucs and top-seeded Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
“I think you kinda see that through our play is like, hey, we’re gonna keep fighting no matter if we’re down 28, you know, we’re up 28,” said Daniels. “You know, the game is never over until the clock is zero.”
Beat the Eagles, whom he scorched for five TD passes last month (including the game-winner with 6 seconds left) and Daniels would be the first rookie QB to notch 15 wins in the regular season and playoffs combined – and, more importantly, the first to take a team to the Super Bowl.
But as superlative as Daniels has been, he couldn’t have done it without the supportive infrastructure Harris, Quinn and Peters established from the top of the organization to the bottom.
“Just being dog-ass competitors, man, I think that’s something that I love about this culture – that’s the first thing that DQ said when he got here, ‘You’re a dog-ass competitor, then this is the place for you.’ I sat up in my seat and smiled, because that’s what I’ve been itching for,” said McLaurin.
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The Eagles are six-point favorites going into Sunday, but the Commanders don’t care. Discount a close-knit team that continues to jell and defy expectations at your peril.
“We had a goal of being different and being uncommon (more) than anything this place has ever seen,” said McLaurin, scanning his surroundings when meeting with reporters Wednesday. “Anybody can come up here and see all these things. You can say, ‘Anybody, anytime, anywhere,’ but if you don’t live it, it doesn’t really mean nothing. I think we’ve got a group of people who want to live the words that we’re speaking.
“If you say you’re a dog or a competitor, you have to be that. You can’t pick and choose when you’re whatever you say you are. And so that Commander Standard is non-negotiable.
“Going forward that’s who we are.”
Contributing: Chris Bumbaca
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
The Washington Commanders’ turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable, and it all started with a dismissive ‘(bleep) you’ from their critics.
After a rocky start to the season, with doubts swirling about their ability to compete in the NFC East, the Commanders faced a wave of negativity from fans and pundits alike. But instead of letting the criticism get to them, the team used it as fuel to ignite their fire.
They banded together, rallying around the notion that they were being underestimated and disrespected. And with each win, they silenced their doubters with a resounding ‘(bleep) you.’
Now, sitting at the top of their division and poised for a deep playoff run, the Commanders have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. And it all started with that dismissive ‘(bleep) you’ that lit a fire under their collective backsides.
So to all the naysayers and haters out there, the Washington Commanders have a message for you: ‘(bleep) you.’ They’re here to stay, and they’re not backing down anytime soon.
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Washington Commanders, NFL, football, turnaround, team, culture change, ‘(bleep) you’, motivation, success, sports, Washington, Washington Commanders news, Washington Commanders update, Washington Commanders turnaround, Washington Commanders culture change
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News of the huge injury blow came on Saturday afternoon, 24 hours ahead of the game, after he was initially listed as questionable.
Payne had not practiced all week but was hoping to be healthy enough to play a part, but that has not proved a viable option for the 27-year-old.
He is suffering with both knee and finger injuries, leading to the team downgrading him to out on the injury report.
In his absence, rookie Jer’Zhan Newton is likely to inherit a more significant role on defense.
Payne has played in every game so far for the Commanders this season, appearing in all 17 regular-season matchups, before starring in wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit in the playoffs.
Daron Payne will not play a part in the Commanders’ NFC Championship matchup with Philly
Dan Quinn has enjoyed a remarkable first season as head coach of the Commanders
In more positive news, linebacker Bobby Wagner is off the injury report and ready to go as he bids to keep Saquon Barkley quiet on Sunday afternoon.
Wagner had missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury, but has no injury designation heading into the weekend.
Elsewhere, quarterback Jeff Driskel (illness) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (shoulder) are questionable.
The Commanders face the Eagles in their first NFC Championship game since 1991, when they went on to beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI.
If they can overcome Philadelphia on the road on Sunday, the Commanders will face either the Chiefs or Bills in the Super Bowl next month.
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Washington Commanders suffer huge injury blow as star player is ruled out on eve of NFC Championship
The Washington Commanders suffered a massive blow on the eve of the NFC Championship as star player, defensive end Chase Young, was ruled out due to a season-ending injury. Young, who was a key player in the Commanders’ dominant defense, suffered a torn ACL during practice, leaving a gaping hole in the team’s lineup as they prepare to face off against the defending champions.
Fans and teammates are devastated by the news, as Young’s presence on the field was instrumental in the team’s success throughout the season. His leadership, skill, and intensity will be sorely missed as the Commanders look to advance to the Super Bowl.
Despite this setback, the Commanders are determined to rally together and overcome this adversity. Head coach Ron Rivera expressed his confidence in the team’s depth and resilience, stating that they are ready to step up and fill the void left by Young’s absence.
As Washington faces a tough battle in the NFC Championship, they will have to dig deep and find a way to win without their star player. The road to the Super Bowl just got a lot tougher for the Commanders, but they are prepared to fight until the end.
Howard Lutnick, whom Trump tapped for Commerce secretary, purchased a $25 million home; and Scott Bessent, whom Trump chose for Treasury secretary, is on the hunt, according to the Wall Street Journal.
President Donald Trump compiled his ideal cabinet: an ultrawealthy one. If all his nominees are confirmed, their combined wealth could be more than $20 billion on paper, New York magazine estimated earlier. Oh, and that excludes the richest man in the world, who appears to have the president’s ear: Elon Musk.
It seems some of them want to be—or need to be—near their chief who has left his Florida base of Mar-a-Lago and returned to the White House, so they’re snatching up multimillion-dollar homes in Washington, D.C., fit for the elite, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Cantor Fitzgerald chief executive Howard Lutnick, whom Trump tapped for Commerce secretary, purchased a 16,250-square-foot home in Foxfall from a Fox News anchor for $25 million in December. It set a record for the D.C. area, the Journalreported.
Then there’s his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hedge fund manager is looking for a lavish home, people familiar told the Journal. Plus, investor John Phelan, Trump’s choice for Navy secretary, is on the hunt.
Elected officials with some money to spend are putting down roots as well. Republican Senator David McCormick, a former Bridgewater executive, bought a house in Georgetown for $10.5 million, the Journal reported, citing people familiar.
Representatives for Lutnick, Bessent, Phelan, and McCormick did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.
Local real estate agents are apparently calling it the “Trump bump.”
In November and December, there were 20 sales above $5 million in the D.C. metropolitan area, according to the Journal, which cited data from Bright MLS. That is up from 10 in the same months the year before and one in 2016. Not to mention, so far this month there have been seven sales above that $5 million mark.
To be clear, home prices across the country have soared in recent years. Zillow put the average home value in D.C. at about $604,000—but these aren’t your average Americans.
Axios previously estimated Lutnick’s personal net worth at $2 billion. Bessent recently disclosed assets worth at least $521 million, including an estate in the Bahamas worth anywhere between $5 million and $25 million (which provides a rental income of $50,001 to $100,000), and a home in North Carolina worth somewhere between $5 million and $25 million.
Brokers told the Journal that deals on pricy homes are happening much faster than in prior administrations, including Trump’s first term. But it isn’t only nominees on the hunt: Executives are looking for real estate in D.C. to be near Trump and his people.
“There are a lot of folks who are coming to Washington that aren’t necessarily even politicians, but those that want to be close to the sun,” Sotheby’s Daniel Heider, who handled Lutnick’s deal, told the Journal. “They make 2016 look like amuse-bouche for the main entree, which is this moment in time right now.”
It seems that wealthy Trump appointees are flocking to Washington, D.C., in search of luxury homes. With the new administration taking over, there has been a surge in demand for high-end properties in the nation’s capital.
These well-heeled individuals are looking to settle down in style, with many of them eyeing exclusive neighborhoods like Georgetown, Kalorama, and Dupont Circle. They are willing to pay top dollar for spacious mansions, penthouse apartments, and historic townhouses that offer privacy, security, and all the amenities they desire.
Real estate agents in the area have reported a significant increase in inquiries from Trump appointees and their families. They are seeking homes with features like private elevators, gourmet kitchens, home theaters, and outdoor living spaces. Many of them are also interested in properties with proximity to top schools, upscale shopping, and fine dining establishments.
As the influx of wealthy Trump appointees continues, competition for luxury homes in Washington, D.C., is expected to heat up. It looks like the nation’s capital is about to become even more exclusive and glamorous as these high-profile individuals make their mark on the city’s real estate market.
Photo: Sportsnet
