In the Wizards' 33-point loss to the Indiana Pacers, the team scored a season-low 86 points. Obviously, the lackluster offensive performance, including  an abysmal 21.9% clip from behind the arc, is an issue itself.

That's not the whole story.

Numerous times throughout the game, and during the season for that matter, Monumental Sports color analyst Drew Gooden reiterates the same point.

The Wizards failed to take away what the Pacers do best -- let Pascal Siakam go to work on the drive.

"We could never get ourselves a foot in the game," head coach Brian Keefe said. "Too many points in the paint. Too many kickout threes."

Gooden emphasized the Wizards' inability to deny the entry pass to Siakam all night, allowing him to put up a game-high 24 points on 11/20 shooting.

All night, Siakam got whatever he wanted. Once he got the catch up top, it was a plethora of straight-line drives to the bucket met with little to no resistance.

Last night isn't the only example of this. Throughout the first 18 games, Washington has struggled mightily to take away teams number one option.

"We weren't sharp; we weren't flying around the way we're capable of," Keefe said.

This issue is a testament to the Wizards' glaring defensive issues. The team ranks dead last in defensive rating. and often allows 120+ a night.

For a team that is focused on individual development and not wins, the defense prevents the team from playing in competitive situations.

The Wizards have lost by double-digits in 12 of their 18 games and have lost by 20+ in 8 of those.

Last night, the Wizards had no answer for Siakam. Bilal Coulibaly, one of the team's top defenders, allowed the entry pass too easily, leading to plenty of drive and scores.

Coulibaly said "it's a good question," when asked why the Wizards lacked energy last night. He said they had some good stretches but the team needed to get more stops.

Keefe turned to Justin Champagnie off the bench, and he also showed uncharacteristic struggles with the assignment.

Regardless of the Wizards' goals this year in terms of wins and losses, the team preached it would compete on defense all offseason. General Manager Will Dawkins wants to model the organization to be its best on that side.

Washington just hasn't done enough to make that happen. It's easy to point out the fact that it probably doesn't have the horses. However, it has failed on numerous nights to utilize its one controllable; its effort.

Last night was a prime example. The Pacers exposed the Wizards' biggest weakness, and the team couldn't adjust.