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Stephen Jackson, at any given time during a game, can be capable of an offensive explosion.? Monday night against the Washington Wizards, he certainly exploded – to the tune of 41 points; but what is more impressive about his effort was the fact that he played the game with a sprained left ankle.? His scoring sparked a late rally as the Golden State Warriors edged the Wizards 120-117 at a sold-out Oracle Arena.

Despite being shorthanded – Caron Butler, Antonio Daniels and Gilbert Arenas out with assorted injuries – Washington played a lights-out first half as they took into halftime a 17-point lead; oddly enough, 70 of their 72 first-half points were scored by just four of their players.? Fast forwarding to the fourth quarter, Golden?State closed the gap to 113-111 on Jackson’s 2 free throws with 2:03 remaining in the game; Andris Biedrins rebounded?Jackson’s missed free throw, which set up Jackson’s go-ahead 3-pointer.

That trey with 55.6 seconds left gave Golden State their first lead since the opening minute of the game, while the Wizards were held scoreless for 2:50, allowing the Warriors to hold on for the victory.? Golden State’s leading scorer was Jackson with a season-high 41 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a pair of steals; Monta Ellis scored 22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.? Al Harrington added 21 with 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Baron Davis had a solid game, chipping in with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.

Washington was led by Roger Mason with 32 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal; Antawn Jamison scored 25 with 10 rebounds, an assist, 6 steals?and a blocked shot.? Brendan Haywood had another solid game, adding 20 points with 10 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot, while DeShawn Stevenson contributed 18 with 3 rebounds and 7 assists.? Golden State’s (31-20) homestand continues as they host the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, while Washington (24-27) travels south to Los Angeles to face the Clippers at Staples Center – also on Wednesday.