Updated Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 02:01 AM
WASHINGTON — After their worst start in history, the Washington Wizards became a national punch line. On TNT, Charles Barkley compared them with the Washington Generals, and a local newspaper had photos of fans wearing paper bags over their heads at Monday's 26-point loss to San Antonio.
The jokes can stop — at least for now.
Washington earned its first victory after starting the season with 12 straight losses, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 84-82 on Wednesday night.
Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum led Portland, losers of three straight, with 20 points apiece.
"Loss is a loss, but this one definitely stings knowing the team is 0-12. You never want to be the team they get the win on, but we were that team," J.J. Hickson said.
Notes
• Al Jefferson had 19 points, Marvin Williams from Bremerton scored 16 before leaving with concussion symptoms, and the Utah Jazz won its second straight game, 96-84 over the host New Orleans Hornets.
• Kevin Durant matched his season high with 37 points, and host Oklahoma City beat the Houston Rockets 120-98 in James Harden's first game back in Chesapeake Energy Arena since being traded by the Thunder before the season. Harden scored 17 points but was limited to 3-for-16 shooting.
• Joe Johnson scored 18 points, Andray Blatche had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the host Boston Celtics 95-83 after Rajon Rondo was ejected following a fight. The Celtics point guard was tossed after he shoved Kris Humphries to retaliate for the Nets forward's hard foul against Kevin Garnett. Humphries and Brooklyn's Gerald Wallace also were ejected.
• Chris Paul had 23 points and 11 assists, and the host Los Angeles Clippers welcomed Chauncey Billups back to the lineup for the first time this season with a 101-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• The short-handed Dallas Mavericks will sign 16-year veteran point guard Derek Fisher on Thursday, coach Rick Carlisle said.
• Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio got the green light from doctors for full-contact practices, the last major hurdle he needed to clear in his recovery from torn ligaments in his left knee.
• Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Blake will be sidelined at least two more weeks with an abdominal strain. The Lakers assigned rookie center Robert Sacre from Gonzaga to the D-League's L.A. D-Fenders.
