The Washington Wizards have the NBA's second-worst record at 16-53 entering Saturday's home date with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they are on pace to make the top six in this summer's draft. They have no incentive to bring players back from injury before their last game on April 12, especially four-time All-Star guard Trae Young.
The Wizards announced an update on the injury to the 27-year-old, who missed Monday's 125-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors due to quad contusion.
"Young re-injured his right quadriceps during the third quarter of the game against Golden State on March 16. Related imaging due to back pain confirmed lower back irritation," the organization said. "Both injuries are being treated conservatively and will not require surgery at this time. Further updates will be provided as appropriate."
Washington officially acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks on January 9, but he did not play until the team's 122–112 home loss to the Utah Jazz on March 5 due to quad and knee injuries. The former All-NBA honoree has played just five games since the trade after leading the league with 11.6 assists per game in 76 contests last year and 15 games overall this season.
The Wizards placed a minutes restriction on Young, as he averaged only 20.8 minutes in those five games. The 6-foot-2, 164-pounder is averaging 34.1 minutes in his career.
However, Young still put on a show, Producing highlights such as fake behind-the-back passes, deep threes, and his patented "ice tray" celebration.
Trae Young (19 PTS) was a handful on defense in the first half pic.twitter.com/bWmMJsXiYV
- NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) 17 March 2026
The Oklahoma native averaged 15.2 points on 59.5% shooting (42.9% 3-point) with 6.3 assists, three rebounds and 2.6 turnovers in those 20.8 minutes. He scored 21 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3-point) with five assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal in 21 minutes against the Warriors on Monday.
Young has a $49 million player option this summer. Assuming the former Oklahoma Sooner opts to extend and/or sign with Washington, he will likely be its point guard next season with star big man Anthony Davis and a young core including big man Alex Saar, sharpshooting guard Trey Johnson, wing Keyshawn George, wing Will Riley, guard Bilal Coulibaly and guard Bub Carrington. Additionally, whoever the team drafts this summer could be a superstar prospect like BYU's AJ DiBuntsa, Kansas' Darrin Peterson, or Duke's Cameron Boozer, depending on which selection they get in May's NBA Draft Lottery.
Trae Young showed how he can change the Wizards
If Young doesn't return this season, the silver lining is that he showed why Washington chose him. The seriousness of the 2018 NCAA champion and assists leader on offense generated more open looks for its young core, making it easier for players like Johnson, Riley and Coulibaly to score. For example, Coulibaly is averaging 16.8 points on 45% shooting (41% 3-point) with Young, and he is averaging 11 points on 41.5% shooting (31% 3-point) in 47 games this season.
This story is being updated
