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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (5) loses the ball under the basket in front of Washington Wizards guard Isaac Bonga (17) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 23, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Wizards defense top 10 since the All-Star break. Seriously.

During Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Scott Brooks pleaded for his team to wake up. The Wizards were slightly winning, but the coach was unhappy with the way the Thunder's guards were getting to the basket.

April 25, 2021
Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) chase a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Russell Westbrook delivering in clutch, calling back to old memes

Westbrook finished the game 5-of-17 for 14 points, but he went 3-of-3 when the game mattered most. On the season, Westbrook is now shooting 57.1% in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime when the contest is within five points, the NBA's definition of clutch -- best among players with at least 50 attempts.

April 22, 2021
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija, bottom, reacts after he was injured during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Washington. Also seen is Wizards center Jordan Bell (7). (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Deni Avdija suffers serious-looking leg injury against Golden State Warriors

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija suffered a leg injury in Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors that required him to be wheeled off the court in a wheelchair. The 20-year-old rookie was unable to put any weight on his leg and remained on the ground for several minutes.

April 21, 2021
FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Raiders owner Mark Clark Davis stands on the field before the team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. The Las Vegas Raiders got angry backlash for a tweet the team sent after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd. Davis said he was driving the verdict was announced and heard Floyd's brother, Philonise, make the statement that “we can all breathe again” and decided to make that message the team's response. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Mark Davis takes ‘full responsibility’ for mocked Raiders tweet

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said Tuesday that he took full responsibility for a widely criticized tweet from the team's Twitter account after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for murdering George Floyd, saying the tweet was his idea.

April 21, 2021
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, left, high-fives teammate Russell Westbrook after Beal was fouled in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 19, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Wizards, winners of five straight, back in tight playoff race

First, the Wizards won seven of eight in February, a crucial streak that helped erase an early-season hole. But for all the progress, Washington proceeded to lose the next seven of eight. Now, weeks later, the Wizards have somehow done the unexpected again: They've won -- you guessed it -- seven of their last eight games.

April 20, 2021
FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86), warm up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Landover, Md. The Washington Redskins have released injury prone tight end Jordan Reed, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Washington creates $8.5 million in salary-cap by cutting ties with him. Reed missed all of last season with his fifth documented concussion of his seven-year NFL career. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Jordan Reed retires from NFL

Former Washington tight end Jordan Reed announced he's retiring from the NFL after eight seasons due to lingering effects from concussions.

April 20, 2021
Washington running back Bryce Love (35) runs with the ball during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Washington waives Bryce Love

Washington waived its 2019 fourth-round running back Monday, cutting the oft-injured 23-year-old whose nagging knee injury prevented him from appearing in a regular-season game across two seasons.

April 19, 2021
Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, in this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, photo. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) **FILE**

Alex Smith announces retirement from NFL

Alex Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, bringing to an end a 16-year career that saw the quarterback stage one of sports' greatest comebacks.

April 19, 2021
FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Washington’s biggest offseason need is to figure out its quarterback situation. Trade for DeShaun Watson? Sign Cam Newton? Roll with Alex Smith and Kyle Allen? Coach Ron Rivera says “nothing is off the table.” (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

Jaguars ‘very concerned’ over Alex Smith’s health

When the Washington Football Team released Alex Smith last month, one of the logical landing spots for the quarterback appeared to be the Jacksonville Jaguars. There could be other factors preventing it.

April 19, 2021
Fans watch the trucks pass on the front stretch during the NASCAR Truck Series auto race Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va. (James H Wallace/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

NASCAR coming to terms with new reality

The sport the fans have come back to is hardly the same. There are now reminders at nearly every turn of how the world has changed over the past year, none more noticeable than the health and safety protocols in place to prevent the tailgating that was once a pre-race staple of any event. Then there are the cultural shifts.

April 18, 2021
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Football Team play during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Al Drago)

Washington Renegades? Armada? Team sends name survey to season ticket holders

Brian Costello was surprised when he checked his email late Wednesday to discover he received a survey from The Washington Football Team about the franchise's ongoing rebrand. Specifically, the team asked season-ticket holders like Costello to give feedback on a list of names that are being considered.

April 15, 2021
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder (left) and president Bruce Allen (right) talk on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) **FILE**

Dan Snyder goes after Bruce Allen in court filing

Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder petitioned a federal court in California on Thursday to issue a subpoena to former team president Bruce Allen as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit against an Indian-based media company.

April 15, 2021
Sammis Reyes, a former college basketball player turned tight end, signs a contract with the Washington Football Team. (Photo courtesy of The Washington Football Team)

Sammis Reyes goes from DoorDash delivery driver to NFL with Washington

Sammis Reyes can laugh about it now. After all, the Chilean's remarkable journey resulted in a contract with the Washington Football Team on Tuesday following an impressive showcase during a pro day at the University of Florida last month for international players. In front of NFL scouts, executives and coaches, Reyes blew past expectations with a stunning 4.67 40-yard dash, 31 225-pound bench reps and an eye-popping 40-inch vertical leap.

April 14, 2021
Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) reacts after making a dunk against the Utah Jazz in the second half during an NBA basketball game Monday, April 12, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) **FILE**

Daniel Gafford rocking the rim as lob threat for Wizards

Gafford has fit right in with the Wizards since the Chicago Bulls traded him to Washington last month -- even as he was sidelined for six games with a sprained ankle. The 22-year-old returned to action last week and has quickly picked up where he left off -- throwing down dunks, blocking shots and converting easy buckets around the rim. He has an explosiveness that past Wizards centers like Marcin Gortat and an older Dwight Howard did not.

April 13, 2021