Not many expected the Washington Wizards offense to be among the league leaders one month into the season, but the team’s ability to find points off the bench has allowed it to exceed expectations. Only the Los Angeles Clippers’ second unit is averaging more points per game this season (50.4), and much of that firepower is fueled by the combination of Moritz Wagner and Davis Bertans.

The team’s frontcourt reserves have outshined even the most optimistic projections. They’re outscoring opponents by 9.4 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com, and that gives them Washington’s top net rating among duos that have played at least 200 minutes. Bertans and Bradley Beal are the only combination that comes close (5.9 net rating).

“It’s fun, fun as hell, excuse my language,” Wagner said of playing on the team’s second unit. “When the ball moves like that … it’s when in doubt, pass it to Davis [Bertans]. It’s ridiculous. It’s obviously a lot of fun, and when you play the game with that type of joy, good things happen to you. You’re locked in defensively, and you’re able to make runs.”

Bertans came to the team via a trade with the Spurs, and it’s a deal San Antonio surely wishes it could take back given it was made to create room for Marcus Morris before the Philadelphia native changed his mind and headed to New York. Wagner came to Washington via the three-way Anthony Davis deal, and he was essentially deemed salary-cap filler after a rocky season with the Lakers in which he saw at least 10 minutes of action in just 19 games.

“I mean, best basketball? I haven’t played yet,” Wagner said Wednesday. “This is literally the first time I’ve had a chance to play. I have a real role, and I’m grateful for that.  I’m just trying to take a chance of the opportunity and make the best out of it because I know it can be different at the end of the day. I’m trying to get as many wins as I can, help the team grow and prove myself.”

The Wizards liked Wagner prior to the 2018 draft, and I’m told they contemplated scenarios in which they would trade up from No. 44 to take the Michigan man. Wagner ended up going to Los Angeles at No. 25, though the front office remained an admirer from afar and didn’t let the rough, inconsistent season in Purple and Gold overshadow the potential possessed by the German center.

Enjoy this remarkable bench unit in Washington while it lasts, though. It may not be here for the long term. Head coach Scott Brooks has left Wagner and Bertans on the floor to close games recently, and that, coupled with the chances of Bertans trade (he’s on an expiring deal), could make the second unit an early-season special.

Lists, Graphs, and Random Facts

Let’s Talk About Luka

We could talk about how the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and even the Atlanta Hawks could have made one of the biggest draft mistakes of the decade in passing up on Luka Doncic, who went No. 3 overall in what was seen as a loaded drafted class. Instead, let’s focus on the absurd stretch Doncic is on this season.

This week, Doncic recorded a triple-double in 26 minutes, and he’s averaging a 30-point triple-double over his last 10 games, joining LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson as the only players to accomplish such as feat.

Now, I’m no triple-double serf (Russell Westbrook was not my 2016-17 MVP), but how Doncic is leading his team in just his second season is remarkable. He paces the league in total points added, his 32.4 player efficiency rating would be the highest ever over a full season (though Giannis Antetokounmpo is actually close with a 32.18 PER), and his Rolling Player Rating has already hit historic levels.

It’s way too early to start talking MVP. But Doncic is in the conversation, and not many NBA sophomores have earned a seat at that table.

Things To Watch

• John Wall isn’t expected to take the court this season, but he’s receiving advice from other players who have also suffered a torn Achilles as he works his way back to form. Rudy Gay, who said he received advice from Kobe Bryant following his own Achilles injury, said in Washington that he spoke with Wall about the ailment and the road back, emphasizing not to overlook the mental aspect of the recovery: “It’s mentally knowing when you go through that injury and the act of having that injury, the time always goes through your mind: ‘What move did I make for that to happen?’ Once you get that out of your mind, you’re good.”
• Wednesday vs. the Spurs was Mental Health Awareness night in Washington, and a panel that included a leading psychologist, the director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Cathy Hurst, the mother of Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst, spoke prior to the game about the warning signs of mental health issues, resources available and the right way to assist someone. “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and “I went through it and am just fine” are not proven to be effective strategies.
• The average delay between the onset of mental illness and treatment is 11 years. National Alliance on Mental Illness, NBA Cares, and WeAreAllaLittleCrazy.org are among the resources available.

Bonus: More Numbers!

• The Houston Rockets’ starting five is outscoring opponents by 25.4 points per 100 possessions, which is the best mark in the league among quintets with at least 48 minutes of court time. The second-best? The Milwaukee Bucks’ starting five with Khris Middleton, which has a 22.4 net rating.
• The Los Angeles Clippers’ starting five (Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverley, Maurice Harkless, Ivica Zubac) played 13 minutes together in the Boston-Los Angeles overtime classic on Wednesday night and came out with a net rating of 17.9. That’s identical to the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup, which has played 70 minutes together this season.
• The Clippers’ five that finished the game? Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell joined George, Leonard and Beverley for just 10 minutes of court time. Yes, that is an extremely small sample size. But if they keep the same energy they had against Boston over the course of the season, they would outscore opponents by 39.5 points per 100 possessions. It’s no wonder FiveThirtyEight gives Doc Rivers’ squad a 48 percent chance to win the conference, which leads the West.