The Washington Wizards finally broke their six-game losing streak with a hard-fought 107-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

Marcus Smart popped up with a flawless kip-upWizards vs. Nets (Image Credit: X/@BleacherReport)
It wasn’t just the win that had fans buzzing; it was Marcus Smart’s energy and leadership that stole the spotlight in only his second game with the team.

Late in the fourth quarter, as the Nets clung to a narrow 97-96 lead, Smart delivered a game-changing moment. After taking a charge from Trendon Watford, Smart fell to the floor. However, he popped up with a flawless kip-up, sending the Wizards’ crowd into a frenzy.

The flashy move didn’t just fire up the fans; it also caught the attention of commentators, too. One announcer couldn’t hold back his excitement, exclaiming, “Marcus Marcus with a kip-up, he did it. Now he’s looking like Shawn Michaels, man.” While another commentator called him “Bruce Lee.”

The win was significant for another reason. It marked the first time this season that the Wizards held an opponent under 100 points. Smart’s stat line wasn’t the flashiest, but his impact was undeniable. In just 22 minutes, he scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, along with two assists, and snagged a steal.

Marcus Smart Sends A Bold Message To His Critics

For Marcus Smart, the transition from a competitive Memphis Grizzlies team to the struggling Wizards hasn’t been easy, but he’s embracing the challenge. After the win, he addressed critics who may have doubted his impact.

“I just wanna continue to show everybody that I still do this (expletive). Excuse my French. You know, I think a couple of people forgot, and that was it. We got a good young team here; we play our ass off, and I just wanna come here and contribute,” Smart said.

The veteran guard arrived in Washington following a trade deadline deal involving the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. The Wizards acquired Smart, along with Colby Jones, Alex Len, and a 2025 first-round pick. In exchange, Memphis cleared cap space by sending Smart’s $20.2 million contract off their books while also receiving Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis, and future second-round picks.