Top Stories of the Week: The Wizards will play basketball past Mother’s Day!

What an overwhelming week! Let’s get through the main storylines.

The Wizards force Game 7 against the Celtics on Monday

Last weekend, the Wizards were still in their playoff series against the Celtics. On Sunday, they defeated Boston in Game 4, 121-102 to even things up at two games a piece. Along the way, Washington had a 26-0 run in the third quarter. It was so good to the point where Scott Brooks was surprised.

The Wizards weren’t able to play everyone however. Kelly Oubre was suspended for Sunday’s game because he pushed Kelly Olynyk in Game 3. Before the game, Oubre apologized to the team and fans for what happened.

Given Wizards fans’ disdain for the situation, it was something they were able to rally around, like Owen Fish wrote in a recent FanPost. Ted Leonsis also joined in the #FreeOubre movement by wearing his jersey.

After the win, Washington headed back to Bean Town for a crucial Game 5 on the road. After the two straight beatings the Celtics had, they got revenge on the Wizards by racing to a quick double digit lead and never looked back. The final score was 123-101.

With the Wizards down 3 games to 2, it should be no surprise that the Celtics were going to come to Game 6 with a funeral mentality after last January’s game. And they did come in all black. It also didn’t make things easier when John Wall told Candace Buckner earlier on Friday that failing to advance to Eastern Conference Finals would be a waste.

It was a slugfest, and the Celtics were actually beating the Wizards with less than 10 seconds left. But John Wall made the biggest shot of his playoff career (so far):

and the Wizards won Game 6, 92-91!

Korea loves John Wall as much as we do!

Korea isn’t the first country we think of when it comes to basketball in Asia, where China and the Philippines take the spotlight. Korea’s only had one NBA player who played one season over a decade ago.

Still, basketball is more popular in Korea than it is in many western European countries. However we learned that you can watch important Wizards games in Korean.

Their broadcasters managed to call Wall’s spin moves “rat poison” which has a ring to it. And they were more enthusiastic about Wall’s game winner than any American announcer would:

This series swings like a pendulum

Candace Buckner of The Washington Post detailed on this on Thursday. The Wizards played their games at Verizon Center very well, and not well at all on the road. After Friday’s win, that certainly remains the case.

Lyndie was on the TrueHoop Podcast!

On Friday, ESPN’s TrueHoop Podcast had our own Lyndie Wood as a guest for its #askWOS segment. Go to the 1:07 through 1:21 mark of the podcast so you can hear a familiar voice.

You may not know this, but you’ll learn in the podcast that Lyndie recently got married, is studying neuroscience, lives in Atlanta where she had to deal with the first round series hoopla ... and her husband is ... a ... Celtics fan.

Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd rips John Wall

It’s fair to say that Wall has less star power and influence than many other point guards. But to say that he DOESN’T have ANY influence? That’s probably a bit too far.

And more links

• Since Oubre was suspended in Game 4, his return in Game 5 wasn’t well received by Celtics fans, where he was showered with many nasty chants. Ava Wallace of The Washington Post has more.
• Scott Brooks talked about his playing days last Wednesday to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. He mentioned that he still feels some aches from practices and games during his time as a player. Brooks once played for the New York Knicks and took some hits from then-post Charles Oakley.
• If you weren’t able to attend Game 4 between the Wizards and Celtics, Adam McGinnis of Truth About It has a photo and video gallery for you.
• Have you ever worn the road team’s gear during a playoff game? That’s what Wiz of Awes’ Jen Smith did during Game 5, when she entered the TD garden alone as a Wizards fan. The Boston police told her she was brave, though she differed.
• The Capitals lost their second round playoff series to their arch rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this week. Their franchise player, Alex Ovechkin still felt it was his duty to be out there and root for Wall for Game 6:

• Finally, Wall gave an emotional interview to ESPN’s Lisa Salters after Game 6 about his desire to win at home for the fans, or at least go down fighting. It’s safe to say that that’s what he did.

Alright, that’s it from me. We still have at least one more game this season. After what we saw in Game 6, it’s important to take that energy and bring that same intensity to Boston next Monday. The Wizards were in position to win both Games 1 and 2, so let’s hope we see that type of a showing instead of the goose egg they laid in Game 5.

Enjoy the rest of your Mother’s Day weekends everyone!