WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Michael Jordan scored a season-high 45 points Saturday night as the Washington Wizards defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 109-104, for just their second victory in seven games.
Bryon Russell added 13 points and Kwame Brown 12 for Washington, which was playing its first game since losing Jerry Stackhouse to a strained left groin in a setback to Milwaukee on Thursday. Stackhouse will sit out until after the All-Star break.
The Hornets led, 86-82, after Jamal Mashburn made a leaning jumper with 8:51 to play. But rookie Juan Dixon countered with a three-pointer to commence a 13-0 run over the next 3 1/2 minutes and New Orleans could not come all the way back.
The Hornets managed to climb within 103-100 on a pair of free throws by Robert Traylor with 30 seconds remaining, but Jordan answered with two from the line three seconds later.
Tyronn Lue then stole the ball from former Wizard Courtney Alexander, was fouled and sank a pair from the stripe to give Washington a seven-point advantage with 19 seconds to play. New Orleans got no closer than the final score.
Mashburn scored a season-best 39 points and David Wesley added 16 for New Orleans, which lost for the 14th time in 20 games.
