Wizards guard Nick Young is motivated by his lack of playing time this season.

Young worked hard this summer entering his third NBA season, but didn't log a single minute in three games from Nov. 8 to 20. Last Saturday, he was even on the inactive list.

"I was very surprised. It was shocking. I wasn't used to seeing DNPs and my first inactive," said Young. "It kind of hurt."

After dealing with the emotions, Young picked himself up.

"Just man up, really," he told himself. "Go out there with that chip on your shoulder. Just believe, really. I still have confidence in my game if I play or not."

With Mike Miller out due to injury, Young has gotten more playing time over the last week and has thrived.

On Tuesday against the 76ers, he scored 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting.

"He wears his emotions on his sleeve," forward Caron Butler said. "And for him to go out there and compete the way he did on both ends of the floor... that was special."