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The Washington Wizards came to Phoenix with only five road wins to their credit this season.

They left with six.

Washington outscored the Suns 34-19 in the second quarter on their way to an 88-79 win at US Airways Center Wednesday night -- their first win in the Valley since December of 2006.

The loss left Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter very disappointed.

"Quite a lackluster effort the first half," Hunter said. "I was not happy with none of our young guys. And it wasn't about mistakes they made. It was about effort. It was about fight, having a sense of urgency. Unacceptable. This is unacceptable."

Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris, Michael Beasley and Kendall Marshall all sat on the bench for the final 24 minutes after combining to shoot 1-for-9 from the floor in the first half.

"We're gonna play guys that play the way we want to play and play the way that we're gonna play," he continued. "Establish the type of culture that we're gonna have.

"I told Marcus and I told Markieff that if you're not going to go out and compete, forget making shots, forget bad passes and things like that -- if you're not going to go out and compete and fight, you'll watch the guys that will."

Goran Dragic and Luis Scola played all 24 minutes in the second half for Phoenix, while PJ Tucker, Jermaine O'Neal and Wesley Johnson each played more than 16 minutes. The Suns outscored the Wizards 34-29 after halftime and held Washington to 33 percent shooting from the field. Washington scored 59 points and shot over 60 percent in the first half.

"The guys that went out in the second half played the way that we're gonna play and that's why they were out there," Hunter said.

The Suns (23-46) will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at US Airways Center Friday night.

Vince Marotta, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

10 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Btg1964 wrote...
    no clear plan
    I don't know if it is Hunter or Sarver or both, but they have no plan on what to do. This team is underachieving and has no pride. They are painful to watch.
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    Here's a question:
    Can we bench an owner and coach? Flush this team and everyone involved, hire someone that knows what to do before we squander our draft picks that could actually help this franchise.
    Dale
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    Two Things
    One - i dont know what clear plan you could be talking about. Its a lost season. Honestly, their plan could be to tank the season and get the best draft pick (as it should be). But, they could NEVER admit that to their fan base or their players. Secondly, I support Hunter for benching players if they are not putting effort into it. Regardless of our record or how poor our team is, I still want to see the guys giving it their all and growing. Lessons can still be learned this year for players that could be a part of our future
  • Abuse
    PZ wrote...
    New Culture
    Losing!
  • Abuse
    SunsDeuce wrote...
    Hunter is
    Not a coach. He needs to go! Thats the bottomline. Just another example of Blanks blunders. But if Sarver keeps these so called General Managers around, we as suns fans may have to continue to suffer through this joke, I mean coach named lindsey.
  • Abuse
    ASUinNY wrote...
    PJ Tucker
    Is still on the roster? How did that happen?
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    The plan for the remainder of this season
    is to prioritize evaluation and development over winning. I am ok with that, as long as it is not still the plan next season. One way or another, Hunter had better not be a part of next season's plans. He's pretending to be a head coach, as far as I am concerned.
  • Abuse
    redstick88 wrote...
    who cares
    I have given up on the suns this year! Who cares anymore, they won't be relevant for years to come! To young and crapy owner!
  • Abuse
    the cooker wrote...
    Hunter needs to keep quiet
    This coach has already lost the locker room. Just get rid of the guy and take your lumps. The water boy can hold things together.
  • Abuse
    Suns4Life wrote...
    Interim
    Means temporary and let's hope (unless we tank next season to get a number one pick) that that's all that hunter is "interim". I mean I have nothing against the guy but I would rather have an experienced coach mmmmm Elston turner? To lead these young guys not a rookie coach to lead a bunch of rookie players.
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