標籤: Wizards

The Washington Wizards found themselves on the defensive after an April Fools’ Day prank during their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, which drew serious reaction from fans and commentators alike.

In the skit, three contestants attempted to make a shot at half court while blindfolded for a $10,000 prize. The host instructed the crowd to cheer wildly as if the last contestant had succeeded, even if the ball was missed.

The host said, “It wouldn’t be Gee-Wiz’s April Fool’s Mania without a little bit of fun. Not saying they wouldn’t make it, but I think the first two might miss out.” “The last contestant, we’ll pretend the ball went in the basket. So as soon as it hits the ground, go crazy like they just won $10,000.”

Be happy, they did it. Everyone got into a lather, and one fan was cruelly duped into thinking he had won a big cash prize.

The Wizards tricked a fan into thinking he won $10,000 in an April Fools’ prank by pretending to hit a half-court shot while blindfolded 😭 pic.twitter.com/MZEfAiGZKM

– FearedBuck (@FearedBuck) 2 April 2026

Wizards apologizes after viral April Fool’s prank leaves fan thinking he won $10,000

Who in Blue Hell, in the corporate offices, gave the green light to that joke? What a magician you are.

Critics, including former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, called the targeting of a fan who paid good money to watch one of the NBA’s worst teams “disgusting.” Others called it insulting and tone-deaf, with some comparing the fan’s apparent frustration to a scene from the Batman film.

The reaction was terrible. And Wizards issued an apology, claiming everyone involved was in on the joke.

“We apologize for last night’s April Fools’ joke that left many people wondering if we misled any fans,” the team said. “This play, involving our mascot and other members of our performance team, was scripted and intended to celebrate this day.”

“All participants were in on the joke, but we missed the mark. Our fans are our priority, and we are committed to providing a positive experience for everyone attending our games.”

Read more:

Well, that explains why fans were such a good sport about this stupid prank. He apparently also got himself a signed jersey and some courtside seats for next season.

Great. This means he’ll be able to see what many would consider a huge joke – the Wizards – up close and personal.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

A new rumor suggests that an elite prospect is generating a lot of momentum to land with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets or Washington Wizards as the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories as we approach the end of the NBA regular season, for all the wrong reasons, is the race to the bottom of the standings. While the lottery was created to prevent franchises from having to take the top overall pick, there is a battle going on between the NBA’s worst teams to get the top pick in June.

While tanking is nothing new in the NBA, right now it is worse than most years because there is a very strong class of prospects declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. So even if a team doesn’t get the No. 1 overall pick, a top-three selection could yield franchise-changing talent.

As we enter the final week of the season, the Pacers, Nets, and Wizards currently have the best chances (14% chance) to win the No. 1 pick. The NCAA Tournament is underway and the discussion is going on about who will be No. 1. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, it looks like it will be the same player whose team was eliminated in Round 1.

AJ DiBantsa the new favorite to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA Draft?

“Based on conversations with sources around the NBA in recent weeks, the prospects are leaning toward AJ DiBuntsa as the No. 1 pick,” Wu wrote in a new Draft Stock Watch article.

Throughout the college basketball season, BYU’s freshman has been viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in June. He led the nation in scoring (25.5 points) and led the Cougars to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Texas in the opening round.

Until recently, Kansas star Darrin Peterson was viewed as the favorite to go first because of his NBA-ready game. Unfortunately, injuries and questions about his dedication to the Jayhawks have hurt his standing with many draft experts. Any one of these guys would be a great option if the Pacers, Nets or Wizards land the No. 1 pick.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

With their latest win over the Washington Wizards, Ben Stiller’s favorite team, the New York Knicks, have made it six wins in a row, and as the last nine of the regular season approach, they are on fire.

After losing to the Brooklyn Nets by nearly a single point, the Knicks came back strongly and defeated the Wizards by 32 points on Sunday, March 22.

Stiller was in high spirits after the game. He responded to the Knicks Beast’s post about the latest win over the X’s Earlier on Twitter, the New York bench posted six fire emojis celebrating.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/o7Wb2eijna

– Ben Stiller (@benstiller) 23 March 2026

As usual, Stiller was live-posting throughout the game. He was very high on Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the game, leading the team with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Knicks are flying high after crushing Wizards

On Sunday, March 22, the Knicks defeated the Wizards 145–113. Granted, the Wizards have the second-worst record in the NBA. They are 16-55 with losses and the Indiana Pacers are the only team with a worse record (15-56).

Meanwhile, the Knicks are 47-25 and still competing for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics are 47-24, and New York can still catch them. They are still five games behind the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (51-19) in the conference.

Towns was the game’s leading scorer against the Wizards. He made nine of his 13 shots in the game, and he made all seven free throws.

Jalen Brunson was also not far behind, scoring 23 points in the win. He also had four assists and one steal. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.

There are 10 games left in the 2025-26 NBA season. The Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans before a four-game road trip. They will play the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Texans and Memphis Grizzlies before returning home to host the Chicago Bulls on April 3.

Sunday is usually a day of rest. But not for New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek.

Kolek helped the Knicks defeat the Washington Wizards 145–113 at Madison Square Garden, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including 3-of-4 from long range in just five minutes off the bench.

New York won its sixth consecutive game and went ahead 47–25.

Kolek, 24, was a very busy man on Sunday. Before being called up by the Knicks, he starred for the Westchester Knicks in the G League earlier in the day and dropped 42 points and 11 assists in a 141-131 win over the Greensboro Swarm at the Westchester County Center.

The second-year guard went 15 of 22 from the field, including 9 of 14 from three-point territory.

From Westchester to MSG in one day 👏

Earlier today, Tyler Kolek scored 42 PTS and 11 AST for the Westchester Knicks in an NBA G League game…

He then headed to MSG and scored 11 PTS in the fourth quarter for the New York Knicks. pic.twitter.com/6WeCwZn8GR

– NBA (@NBA) 23 March 2026

Kolek, who is on a two-way contract, has quickly become a fan favorite in the Big Apple due to his passionate approach to the game. He always gives his all, whether he gets five minutes or 25 minutes.

He has received even less playing time with the arrival of Jose Alvarado at the trade deadline, but Kolek remains a consummate professional, supporting his teammates as one of the team’s biggest cheerleaders on the bench.

He is averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 11.9 minutes per outing. There was a six-game stretch in December when he averaged 14.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists, proving that he can perform well if given enough playing time.

Karl-Anthony led the Knicks over the Wizards with a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds.

They return to action on Tuesday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New York Knicks are currently on a five-game winning streak and will next host the Washington Wizards, who have lost 15 consecutive games. The Knicks lead the season series 2-0 and come into this game with a 93-92 win against the Brooklyn Nets.

New York is currently 46-25, in third place in the Eastern Conference, while Washington is 16-54, having last won on Feb. 20. The Knicks are allowing just 110.3 points per game (5th in the NBA), while Washington is allowing 123.8 points per game (29th).

In terms of injuries, the Knicks will be without Miles McBride and Landry Shamet, while Josh Hart is listed on the official injury report with a knee issue along with Tyler Kolek and Ariel Huckporty, according to a post on X by Steve Popper. For Washington, Leaky Black is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, while Justin Champagnie is unavailable as he serves a league suspension. The injury list also includes Anthony Davis (left finger sprain), Keyshawn George (left elbow sprain), Trey Johnson (right foot sprain), and Alex Sarr (left big toe capsulitis).

Cam Whitmore is also out with a serious right shoulder condition related to deep vein thrombosis, while Trae Young is out with lower back soreness and a right quad injury. After all, D’Angelo Russell is no longer with the team.

Josh Hart’s injury status vs. Wizards

Josh Hart is listed as questionable, leaving some uncertainty regarding his availability. He is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. New York enters this game as the clear favorite, finishing in the top five in both offensive rating (3rd) and defensive rating (5th). The Knicks are averaging 116.8 points per game, good for 10th in the NBA, while only allowing 110.3 points per game, fifth-fewest in the league.

They have already defeated the Wizards twice this season by margins of 17 and 31 points, and will once again be the favorites at home. Even if Hart doesn’t play, he has enough firepower to dominate the injury-plagued Wizards at home.

Washington’s struggles are reflected on both ends of the floor. The team is 25th in the NBA in scoring, averaging 112.5 points per game, and 27th in offensive rating. Defensively, the Wizards allow 123.8 points per game, which ranks 29th in the league, and they have the worst defensive rating overall.

The Wizards are also coming off a 132-111 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second straight night, a situation they have struggled with all season with a 1-11 record and losing 16 of their last 17 games.

knicks injury report

Josh Hart – Questionable (right knee; patella femoral syndrome).

Miles McBride – out (pelvic; core muscle surgery)

Landry Chamet – out (right knee; soreness)

Tyler Kolek – Questionable (G League – On Assignment)

Ariel Hookporty – Questionable (G League – On Assignment)

Kevin McCullers Jr. – Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Trey Jameson III – Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

Dillon Jones – Questionable (G League – Two-Way)

magicians injury report

Trae Young – out (quad)

Anthony Davis – out (finger)

D’Angelo Russell – Out (not injury related)

Cam Whitmore – out (shoulder)

Kishawn George – out (elbow)

Trey Johnson – Day To Day (ft.)

Leaky Black – Day to Day (Ankle)

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault did not agree with the ejection of his players following a brawl in the first half of their 132–111 win against the Washington Wizards. Three Thunder players were ejected from the game, including Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace.

Daigneault addressed the ejection during his postgame media availability.

“After talking to him and seeing it at halftime, I disagreed with his decision,” Daigneault said. “But, I’ve worked with John Goble for a long time, and he’s worked with me on this. And we agreed to disagree, and both moved on. So, that’s all I can say about it.”

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40 points on 17-of-27 shooting and seven assists led the defending champions as they extended their win streak to 11. All-Star Chet Holmgren finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, and Jared McCain led the bench with 18 points, including four threes.

Thunder did not visit the White House due to ‘timing issues’

The defending champion Thunder did not go to meet President Donald Trump at the White House, a traditional meeting for NBA champions. According to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, the Thunder explained why it would not be visiting in the following statement before the match against the Wizards.

“We have been in contact with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication they have had, but the timing was not right,” the Oklahoma City Thunder said in a statement.

Marc Daigneault and the Thunder will continue their five-game road trip when they face the 76ers on Monday.

Washington DC. – There’s an old sports adage that the final score is deceiving, and that’s what happened in the Washington Wizards’ 132-111 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. The Thunder led 103–96 after three quarters before pulling away in the final period, but the Wizards held on, earning the respect of reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The three-time All-NBA First Teamer was asked what is his advice For Washington’s youth core postgame, via Double Take Sports’ Carita Park.

Great answer from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! Talked to him again: his advice for a young man #Magician The team is going through a rebuild like OKC. He gave several reasons why they are on the right track and ended with:

“Eventually they’ll get where they want to go…unless they come to us.”… pic.twitter.com/7zoq4VwWjb

– Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) 22 March 2026

He said, “I honestly think they’re on the right path. As we saw tonight, they have guys who compete, and I think that’s the first thing.” “You want guys who play with edge, who aren’t afraid, who just want to go out and fight. Not physically, but in terms of basketball.”

Everyone in the room laughed, as the last comment referred to the viral clash between the two teams just before halftime. After Wizards forward Anthony Gill hit a five-foot shot, Thunder forward Jaylin Williams began scuffling with Wizards forward Justin Champagne as he was about to kick the ball out. Oklahoma City guard Ajay Mitchell then charged forward and jabbed Champagnie, who hit him in the face with an open hand. Michelle charged Champagne, start an all-out brawl Which spread in the fan section of Baseline.

Huge controversy in Wizards-Thunder: pic.twitter.com/tCcxsNv6en

– Greg Feinberg (@GregFinberg) 21 March 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander pulled Mitchell to the bench, and the fight ended before Champagne, Williams, Mitchell and Thunder guard Cason Wallace exited. Champagnie and Williams received double technical fouls, while Mitchell and Wallace also received technical fouls to add to the conflict.

Gilgeous-Alexander continued after the game, “That’s half the battle in the NBA. Every night, suit up and go to work.” “I think they have that. And then they have some vets, obviously, made some trades with AD [Anthony Davis] and try [Young]. There are two very proven guys in the NBA, so they will help once they get on the floor. well trained, i know bk [head coach Brian Keefe] very well. He was here my freshman year in OKC, so I know what he’s about. [General manager] Desire [Dawkins] Plus, they know what they’re doing. I think they’re on the right track, they check all the boxes. Have to focus on getting better every day, and they will eventually get where they want to go, as long as they come to us.

Thunder provides model for Wizards’ rebuild

Oklahoma City represents the ultimate goal for Washington, as it wins the 2025 NBA Finals and currently leads the league with a 56-16 record. General manager Sam Presti made the move through a number of smart moves like landing Gilgeous-Alexander from the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George in 2019, drafting All-Stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren in the 2022 lottery, acquiring All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls for Josh Giddy in 2024, and drafting Mitchell in the second round in 2024. Has built the NBA’s deepest roster since. The latter player is averaging 14.2 points on 48.9% shooting (34.8% 3-point), along with 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 26.2 minutes.

Dawkins, who held the ranks on Presti’s staff from 2008 to 2023, is leading his own version of the Thunder’s journey. The Gilgeous-Alexander trade marked the beginning of Oklahoma City’s rebuild, as the team lost in the first round of the 2020 playoffs before going on three consecutive losing seasons. Head coach Mark Daigneault won Coach of the Year honors after the team went 57–25 in 2023–24. It was bounced in the second round of the 2024 postseason, but defeated the Indiana Pacers in last year’s Finals.

Dawkins began the Wizards’ rebuild by trading Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul in the summer of 2023, a move that ultimately led to Young’s deal in January. Along the way, they traded for guard Bilal Coulibaly on draft night, selected big man Alex Sarr, guard Bub Carrington and guard Trey Johnson in the lottery, selected forwards Keyshawn George and Will Riley outside of the lottery, and selected guard Jameer Watkins in the second round last summer. Additionally, they gave Champagny a standard contract last season after emerging from the G League into an NBA rotational piece, and they acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks in February without giving up necessary assets.

Now, Washington is finishing its third and final tanking season before landing another top-eight selection in the draft with superstar prospects like BYU’s AJ DiBuntsa, Kansas’ Darrin Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer. While the Thunder never traded for stars as Gilgeous-Alexander was entering his second season in 2019, both organizations dealt away expensive veterans in Beal and George and temporarily sacrificed wins to develop young talent.

Coulibaly, Sarr, Carrington, George and Johnson have all earned Rising Stars honors, while Riley is averaging 14.5 points on 44.2% shooting (37% 3-point) in 33 minutes in March. Watkins, who averaged 8.6 points on 53.7% shooting (40% 3-point) with two steals in March, signed a standard deal in February.

The next step for the Wizards is to learn winning habits as they aim to break into the Eastern Conference playoff picture next season. When Daigneault was asked what habits his team has adopted over the years to get to this level, aside from the classic answers like “hard work” and “talent,” he opened up about ClutchPoints pregame.

I asked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault what habits his team has adopted over the years to get to this level, besides the classic answers of working hard and being talented:

“It’s mostly the classic answers. I think if you bring in players who are successful, like Shai is great… pic.twitter.com/3DzrYXWhBd

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 21 March 2026

“It’s mostly classic answers,” he admitted. “I think if you bring up successful players, like Shai is a great example… there’s no mystery to what he’s doing. He’s doing the very fundamental things you need to do to be great. He’s doing them all the time, consistently, in all situations. But I think it’s pretty fundamental to him and the team. At least we emphasize that. We have talented guys… but it’s nothing good. Individual defense, transition defense, floor spacing, when two If there are people passing to you, can you do it consistently and be disciplined, committed in all situations with all players.

Washington must learn to defend, as they rank last in the NBA with a 120.7 defensive rating. There are plenty of silver linings, however, including Coulibaly getting his shot. The 21-year-old averaged 16 points on 44.2% shooting (41.7% 3-point) in 30.1 minutes in March, which is better than his career average of 10.6 points on 42.5% shooting (31.3% 3-point) in 29.1 minutes. He led the Wizards with 21 points (8-15 FG, 3-5 3-point) in 34 minutes on Saturday.

Keefe, who was an assistant with the Thunder from 2007 to 2015 and 2019–20, spoke about Koulibaly’s performance after the game.

He said, “I think he’s just growing… you know, he’s had some beginnings and endings with some injuries, and I think he’s just finding his rhythm.” “I think he’s taken advantage of his opportunity. We’ll obviously put the ball in his hands. He’s been playing downhill, but he’s playing pretty good basketball here.”

Whether Washington’s young core develops enough to reach Oklahoma City’s level one day remains to be seen, but the team is being rebuilt by two guys who helped develop one of the league’s best teams.

Next up for the Wizards is a road game against the New York Knicks on Sunday at 7:30 PM ET.

After the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder were unable to visit the White House due to a “timing issue”, a fight broke out between Ajay Mitchell and Justin Champagne in the first half of the match against the Washington Wizards. Words were exchanged between the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams and Champagnie before Mitchell advanced and the two began brawling on the baseline and in the stands.

Teammates from both the Thunder and Wizards rush to separate your peopleAt the center of it all are Champagne and Michel. The Thunder’s Cason Wallace was also included.

Justin Champagnie and Ajay Mitchell join in 😳pic.twitter.com/ecjEvMay2R

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 21 March 2026

Wallace, earning a double-technical foul, as Williams, Mitchell and Champagnie, joined the trio as all four were ejected from the game.

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

The potential franchise defender for the Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets, or Washington Wizards is a long way from being available in June’s NBA Draft.

One of the biggest stories in the NBA after last month’s trade deadline was that many teams were doing little to hide the fact that they were vying to get one of the top three picks in the draft. While tanking is nothing new and the NBA lottery strategy was created to curb this, this year is different as the 2026 class of prospects is absolutely stacked.

Young guys like Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Darrin Peterson and AJ DiBuntsa have NBA executives scrambling to lose their way to landing early in Round 1 of the draft. Most basketball pundits expect all five stars of the NCAA Tournament to enter this year’s event. However, these are different times in college sports.

In the era of name, image and likeness deals, college stars earn shocking sums of money for scholarships alone compared to their playing days. Dyabantsa is one of those players. According to various reports before the season, the newcomer is reportedly making $5 to $7 million from his zero commitments at BYU.

AJ DiBantsa’s mother will decide whether he enters the NBA draft

Being king for another year on a major college campus has an allure it didn’t have years ago. Therefore, star players jumping into the NBA Draft after their freshman year are no longer guaranteed. However, following the Cougars’ Round of 64 loss to Texas on Thursday, DiBantsa gave a surprising response when asked about the timeline for deciding on the draft.

“Mostly my mom,” he said about who would actually make the decisions. “She’s kind of a big boss. Just talk to her and see what she says.”

• AJ DiBuntsa Stats: 25.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 spg

This certainly puts an unpredictable element into the equation for teams like the Nets, Kings and Wizards, who are certainly taking a close look at using their top picks on the forward in June. Dyabantsa claimed that he would make his decision “in the next few weeks” and wanted to discuss things with his family first.

If Dyabantsa chose to stay at BYU, it would be an elite prospect off the board for the Nets, Kings and Wizards, who have a big chance to get a top-three pick in June. AJ DiBantsa led the nation in scoring (25.3 points per game), has impressive athleticism, and scoring versatility at 6-foot-9.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Detroit Pistons took on the Washington Wizards on Thursday night and were forced to do so without the services of Cade Cunningham after the two-time NBA All-Star was diagnosed with a collapsed lung. Although the Pistons liked having their star guard available, they didn’t need him to beat the Wizards.

Detroit defeated Washington on Thursday night by a score of 117-95. Jalen Duren led the way for the Pistons with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Durant was one of six Pistons who scored in double figures in the 22-point win.

Halfway through the game, longtime Detroit Pistons play-by-play commentator George Blaha objected to some Wizards players laughing during a timeout.

“It’s a big joke on the Wizards bench,” Blaha said As the camera panned to Wizards guard Bub Carrington and forward Anthony Gill. “I know I would be laughed at if I lost that many games.”

george blaha doesn’t give a fuck anymore 😭 pic.twitter.com/gZQxD9or1j

— nick (@nick__xo) March 20, 2026

Carrington finished Thursday night’s contest with just 10 points on 4-11 shooting, while Anthony Gill was held scoreless in 24 minutes of play. Still, it was a little strange to hear George Blaha – who majored in Botany in Detroit, Michigan and has been the voice of Pistons basketball since 1976 – approach some Wizards players who were resting during a timeout.

With the win, the Pistons improved to an Eastern Conference best 50–19 record. They currently have just four games left on the Boston Celtics for the second seed, but will play at least the next two weeks without Cade Cunningham.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards fell to 16–53 on the season, the second-worst record in the NBA behind only the 15–55 Indiana Pacers.

The Washington Wizards face the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night and Trae Young is once again at the center of the injury report. He has been officially listed as out due to a right quad contusion, putting the Wizards’ key guard in focus as the team tries to break a brutal 13-game losing streak.

The Wizards enter the matchup at 16-52, No. 14 in the Eastern Conference, with their season essentially out of reach. Meanwhile, the Pistons are 49-19, ranked No. 3 in the West, looking to win consecutive games. Here’s everything we know from the injury report regarding Trae Young and his game status vs. the Pistons.

Even in limited action this season, Young has remained productive. In 15 games, he averaged 17.9 points, 8.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds. He’s also shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 82.5 percent from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Young has continued to run the offense and create opportunities for his teammates. However, Washington is still struggling to find stability on both ends.

Without him, the Wizards lose a primary playmaker. They face even less margin for error. That challenge only increases against a surging Detroit team.

Trae Young’s injury status vs. Pistons

What makes Young’s absence particularly glaring is the Wizards’ injury report. Bilal Koulibaly (foot) and Alex Sarr (toe) are both questionable, while Anthony Davis, Keyshawn George and Cam Whitmore are all out. D’Angelo Russell is not with the team and Leaky Black is also out of the team.

On the other hand, the Pistons are also struggling with injuries. Cade Cunningham (back) and Isaiah Stewart (calf) are out, while several players are unavailable due to G League assignments. Still, Detroit has maintained strong momentum behind its depth and execution.

Washington is simply trying to stop the decline. Detroit wants to stay sharp and stack wins. So when the question comes whether Trae Young is playing against the Pistons tonight, the answer is no. He has been officially dismissed. His absence adds another challenge for a Wizards team searching for answers. The season is also ending.

Washington Wizards star guard Trae Young has been busy this past year. The four-time All-Star announced that he has taken on the role of assistant general manager for Oklahoma men’s basketball in March 2025, the program for which he played as a freshman in the 2017–18 season. He pledged to donate $1 million to the program and help with both high school and transfer portal prospect evaluations, fundraising and player contract negotiations.

Since then, Young has rehabilitated his quad and knee injuries, as well as uprooted his life. The Atlanta Hawks traded the 27-year-old to the Wizards in January, marking the first time he has changed teams since the Hawks drafted him at No. 5 overall in 2018. He has only played five games since then due to injury, but he is still effective for his new team.

Young is averaging 15.2 points on 59.5% shooting (42.9% 3-point) with 6.2 assists against 2.6 turnovers in 20.8 minutes. The former All-NBA honoree most recently sat out Monday’s 125-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors with a quad contusion and will not play Thursday against the Detroit Pistons.

Additionally, Young has signed a new partnership with Sling TV for March Madness once the 2026 NCAA Tournament begins. The promotion, titled “When Underdogs Win, You Win”, offers fans a 1-day Sling Pass for $1 if any player from the 12 to 16 seed advances to the Sweet Sixteen in the men’s or women’s tournament. To qualify, fans must purchase a 1, 3 or 7-day pass between Thursday and Sunday. No. 12 High Point’s 83-82 win over No. 5 Wisconsin in the first round is its first major upset of the year.

Young is a suitable promotional partner, as he played for No. 10 Oklahoma against No. 7 Rhode Island in the first round of the 2018 tournament. The Sooners lost 83–78 despite the 2018 NCAA scoring champion and assist leader having 28 points (9-18 FG, 3-9 3-point) and seven assists, ending his collegiate playing career.

Oklahoma was the first team eliminated from the tournament field this season, the first with Young as assistant general manager. The Sooners went 8–3 in their final 11 games in the SEC, which sent 10 teams to March Madness, but it was not enough. The program qualifies as an “underdog” as it has never won a national title and has won only two tournament games since 2018.

Young spoke with ClutchPoints about this, his advice for NCAA Tournament players, fellow Wizards and 2012 NCAA champion Anthony Davis, and more on Wednesday.

Trae Young Q&A

Joshua Valdez: So first of all, who have your eyes set on this year’s March Madness? Can a Dalit run?

Trae Young: Oh, I just don’t have a team. There are some guys and some teams that I look at. I mean, that’s a lot of underdogs. But a lot of the good teams are really good, and certainly even the weaker teams have to come along to pull off some upsets.

Comment: Young singled out High Point, No. 14 North Dakota State and No. 13 Miami (OH) women’s team as underdogs who could make the Sweet Sixteen on his Instagram.

Joshua Valdez: Speaking of underdogs, how did your partnership with Sling TV come about?

Trae Young: Yeah, I mean, I think that was a part of it. We talked, and I feel like growing up being an underdog and just partnering with Sling and doing this, and especially during March Madness, giving people a chance to get more involved, I think it was a no-brainer. So that’s really great.

Joshua Valdez: What do you think is special about the tournament?

Trae Young: I just think it feels like a one-game tournament. This is what makes the anticipation for each game so exciting, as the underdogs can win the game on any given night, so you always have to be prepared as you want to see upsets.

Joshua Valdez: Obviously, you played at OU for a year. How have you grown as a player and a person since being there?

Trae Young: Just understanding that you have to take every moment seriously and you never know when you will get that next moment again. Going into college, I thought I would get a few chances at tournaments, but unfortunately I only had one. Being able to only play one game in the tournament sucked, but experiencing the spirit of March Madness was crazy.

Joshua Valdez: Based on your experience, what advice do you have for players heading into March Madness this year?

Trae Young: Never take the moment for granted, be as prepared as you can be, and just go out there and enjoy. Lead by doing your best, don’t look ahead and think about what’s going to happen in the future, but just be present in the present. ‘Cause you never know when your last game will be in the tournament.

Joshua Valdez: Going back to OU for a second, I know you’ve been helping them as an assistant GM. How’s it going so far?

Trae Young: Really good, really good. It is sad that we were the first team that could not make it to the tournament. And I really felt like we should have done that, especially the way we finished the season and the number of games we won on this tough schedule. But it was good. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to make it this year, but that’s okay. We will be back.

Joshua Valdez: Anything behind the scenes of college basketball or anything new you’ve learned about the game since you took on this role?

Trae Young: I mean, these players are getting paid. These players are getting paid these days. I think it’s a different thing and you have to find kids that are willing to work. I mean, you want to find kids who are here for the love of the game more than the money. This is one of my main things. That’s the difference between when I was in school and now.

Joshua Valdez: Finally, you’re now on the Wizards with Anthony Davis. Obviously, he was a collegiate star who went on to achieve great things in the NBA, just like you. He hasn’t played with you guys yet, but what’s it like being around him?

Trae Young: Yeah, I mean, obviously, he’s really good. Eddie has been great so far. He has a lot of knowledge of basketball and has seen a lot of the game, especially winning a championship as a freshman at the college level. [at Kentucky]And all the accolades she has earned over the years. It’s definitely nice to have a guy in the locker room that you can look at and understand what he brings every night, because you’ve seen what he’s done on TV and over the years.

As the Washington Wizards cruised through the final three weeks of the NBA regular season, college basketball began March Madness, also known as the NCAA Tournament. Like last year, there are several prospects heading into the tournament that the Wizards could take with their lottery picks in this summer’s draft.

In 2025, freshman guard Trey Johnson had a team-high 23 points (6-14 FG, 4-7 3-points), six rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes for Texas in an 86–80 First Four loss to Xavier. That game ended the collegiate career of the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year, and Washington drafted him No. 6 overall in June. Now, his 36.7% three-point clip ranks fourth among NBA rookies with at least four attempts per game (minimum 40 games played). He also ranks fifth with an average of 5.3 attempts.

This year, the obvious draft targets for the Wizards are BYU forward AJ DiBuntsa, Kansas guard Darrin Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer. All three will be playing in the tournament, as No. 1 Duke plays No. 16 Siena in the East Region on Thursday, No. 6 BYU takes on No. 11 Texas in the West Region on Thursday, and No. 4 Kansas takes on No. 13 California Baptist in the East Region on Friday. If Duke and Kansas each win their first two games, they will play each other in the Sweet Sixteen.

Any one of those players could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. DiBuntsa leads the nation with 25.3 points per game on 51.3% shooting (34% 3-point) and can score any type of basket, Peterson ruins games for the opponent even in limited minutes (for example, he scored 23 points in 18 minutes in an 81–69 win over Oklahoma State on February 18), and Boozer is a double-double machine (22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds). Season) who also creates shots for his teammates. Most recently, the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder dished out eight assists in the Blue Devils’ 74-70 ACC Tournament final win over Virginia on Saturday.

If the Wizards get a top-three pick in May’s NBA Draft Lottery, they will likely get one of these three players. If they get the No. 4 pick, they could acquire North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, the only freshman in school history other than Tyler Hansbrough to earn All-American honors. The 6-foot-10, 215-pounder won’t play in the tournament as he recovers from thumb surgery (per ESPN), but he averaged a near double-double (19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds) on 57.8% shooting and can switch to any position defensively.

However, there is a possibility that Washington’s lottery selection could fall outside the top four again. Entering Thursday night’s home matchup with the Detroit Pistons, the team has the NBA’s second-worst record (16-52), having finished in the same place last season. The second-worst record guarantees a top-six selection, and the Wizards were unlucky to get the lowest selection they could get last year.

Washington fans should be familiar with the consensus prospects outside the top four if the team selects the No. 5 or No. 6 pick in May. Luckily for the Wizards, several potential stars will likely be available in that range as well.

Here are four of those players:

G Kingston Flemings, Houston

Flemings was named the Cougars’ “best freshman” by Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, and with good reason. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder blends efficient shooting with playmaking as a point guard while limiting turnovers. He is averaging 16.4 points per game with 5.3 assists on 47.5% shooting (39.2% 3-point shooting), while committing only 1.9 turnovers in 31.7 minutes. He also leads the team with 1.6 steals.

Additionally, the Flemings move on to bigger games. For example, the San Antonio native scored 21 points (6-14 FG, 3-4 3-point) with four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 32 minutes in Houston’s 69-47 win over Peterson and Kansas in Friday’s Big 12 Tournament semifinals.

No. 2 Houston will face No. 15 Idaho in the South Region on Thursday night.

G Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Acuff may be the hottest player in college basketball, coming off a 30-point, 11-assist performance in the Razorbacks’ 85-76 win over Vanderbilt in Sunday’s SEC Tournament final. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has five 30-plus-point games this season, including a 49-point breakout in a 117-115 double overtime win over Alabama on Feb. 18.

Acuff is also more efficient than Flemings in high shooting volume, as he ranks seventh in the country with 22.9 points on 48.6% shooting (44.5% 3-point) while averaging 16.2 field goal attempts (5.8 3-point). Flemings is averaging 12.8 attempts (three 3-pointers).

Acuff is averaging 6.5 assists against 2.2 turnovers in 35.1 minutes. The 2026 SEC Player and Rookie of the Year could be the long-term version of Washington’s Trae Young, just an inch shorter. The latter has a $49 million player option this summer, so there’s no guarantee he’ll remain there after next season.

No. 4 Arkansas will play No. 13 Hawaii in the West Region on Thursday.

G Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Wagler is another freshman sniper, as he shoots 40.2% from long range on an average of 5.8 attempts. However, the Kansas native also has the size at 6 feet 6 inches and his scoring prowess is similar to what Flemings and Acuff have displayed in their careers. 46 point performance in 88-82 win over Purdue on Jan. 24.

PTS: 46
FG: 13-17
3pt: 9-11

Revitalize Every Basket @ilinimbb Star Keaton Wagler @bigten Freshman record 4️⃣6️⃣-point performance 👇 pic.twitter.com/dNcila5QJc

– Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) 24 January 2026

Wagler is the biggest surprise on this list, as he was a three-star recruit before winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors this season. Nonetheless, the combo guard is now unquestionably one of the best players in this class.

No. 3 Illinois will face No. 14 Pennsylvania in the South Region on Thursday.

Fort Ament, Tennessee

Ament is not as efficient as the above players, as he is averaging 17.5 points on 40.5% shooting (33.1% 3-point) in 30.2 minutes. However, the freshman at 6-foot-10, 207 pounds has great defensive tools and potential as a big man in the NBA. Some of his standout performances this season include 29-point performances against Oklahoma, Kentucky and Alabama on February 18, February 7 and January 24, respectively. The Volunteers also won 89–66, lost 74–71 and won 79–73, respectively.

No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 11 Miami (OH) in the Midwest Region on Friday.

The Detroit Pistons will be without star point guard Cade Cunningham for the remainder of Tuesday night’s contest against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboys star played just five minutes in the first half of the Wizards game before leaving the locker room due to an apparent upper body issue.

“Pistons star Cade Cunningham is battling back spasms and will not return for tonight’s game against the Wizards,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel shared via a social media post on Twitter.

The 24-year-old Cunningham totaled six points while shooting 2-for-3 from the field with two rebounds and one steal and one turnover before exiting the game.

This story is being updated.

Washington, DC – Entering Tuesday night’s home date with the Detroit Pistons, the Washington Wizards have the NBA’s second-longest losing streak at 12 games. They also have the second-worst record (16-51), but four-time All-Star Trae Young is showing why next season will be different.

After Monday’s 126-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors, rookie wing Will Riley told ClutchPoints how 27 years old He has transformed the Wizards’ offense since making his debut for the team on March 5.

I asked Will Riley how Trae Young has impacted him as a player and the offense in general:

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time. Seeing the reads he makes shows how much attention he brings. The attention he brings… pic.twitter.com/43TLFAsX4v

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 17 March 2026

“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. It’s crazy to see it in person, I used to watch him all the time,” said the 20-year-old. “Just seeing the reads he brings shows how much focus he brings. The focus he brings allows him to find us on time and on target, so it opens up a lot of opportunities for everyone. He’s an amazing person and great teammate, too.”

Young is averaging 6.2 assists in just 20.8 minutes for Washington, which equates to one assist every 3.35 minutes. The former All-NBA honoree averaged an assist every 3.1 minutes for the Atlanta Hawks as he led the NBA with 11.6 dimes in 36 minutes in the 2024-25 campaign.

Young’s work so far with the Wizards doesn’t guarantee he’ll lead the league in assists again next year, but it is a preview of things to come. The former Oklahoma Sooner is using his offensive toughness to create open looks for the “Wiz Kids,” which makes their job easier and helps their development.

Will Riley reveals Trae Young opened ‘doors’

Riley also talked about what he has learned from Young so far.

“Reading off ball screens has been a main point of emphasis… making reads, snaking, being aggressive, trying to score first… it’s opened up a lot of new doors for me…” he said.

According to former Hawks G League scout Dylan Murphy, snacking is a pick-and-roll maneuver “in which the ball-handler moves away from his original direction between the screener and the screener’s defender.” Learning that move adds to Riley’s already deep bag of moves, like spins and fadeaways.

An example of how Young “opened new doors” for Riley was executing a hockey assist (pass for assist) on his three-point shot in the second quarter. Young brought the ball up the court before second-year guard Bilal Coulibaly set a screen on the logo and swung to the basket. During the roll, Young threw the ball towards Koulibaly, causing the defense to collapse inside. then the next player passed it A wide-open relay in the corner, who swept all three.

Beautiful sequence right here 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Uc02NxzIlr

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 17 March 2026

Head coach Brian Keefe referenced the game post-game when describing his favorite offensive moments from Young, Koulibaly and Riley, each of whom led the team with 21 points.

“I thought there were some good moments there. We had some good connections where the ball was moving, Trae was getting two, there was a play earlier when he hit Bilal on the short roll and he passed it to Will Riley,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons Trae is here, when he gets two he makes the right play. I thought we played him pretty well… You could see the passing skills of all three of them tonight.”

Young left Monday’s game with a quad contusion and was out on Tuesday, but he at least showed why Washington acquired him in five contests with the team in January. While no one knows how long he’ll last, giving the young core open looks and showing him new tricks provides invaluable experience.

For now, the Wizards are losing as much as possible to maximize their draft lottery odds as they try to get lucky in a class with superstar prospects Darin Peterson, AJ DiBuntsa and Cam Boozer. After hosting Detroit on Tuesday, they will do the same on Thursday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Derrick White is listed as probable for Saturday night’s matchup as the Boston Celtics prepare to face the Washington Wizards.

Boston released their latest injury report ahead of Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. ET tipoff, listing White as probable with a right knee injury. The update comes as the Celtics look to snap a two-game losing streak and regain momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season after a 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

White last appeared in Boston’s 125-116 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, delivering one of his strongest performances of the season. The veteran guard recorded 34 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one block while shooting 11 of 22 from the field. He also converted 9 of 11 free throws and completed 3 of 11 from three-point range in 40 minutes.

The 31-year-old has played a major role in Boston’s backcourt all season long. In 63 appearances, White averaged a career-high 17.5 points, as well as 5.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. He is also posting a career-best 1.2 steals per contest while logging 34.3 minutes per game.

While his shooting numbers are 39.4% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range, White continues to be a valuable two-way contributor for the Celtics team, which currently holds a 43-23 record.

Celtics injury report reveals Derrick White’s status ahead of Wizards matchup

Boston’s injury report includes White as well as several additional players:

• Baylor Scheierman – potential (sprained right ankle)
• John Tonje – Suspicious (G League Two-Way)
• Nikola Vucevic – Outside (right ring finger fracture)
• Derrick White – potential (injury in right knee)

The Celtics enter Saturday’s contest with the goal of stabilizing after recent losses by maintaining their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Meanwhile, Washington comes in with a 16-49 record as the Wizards head into a rebuilding season. The matchup provides Boston an opportunity to gain momentum against a team near the bottom of the conference standings.

Saturday’s game also marks the beginning of a three-game homestand for the Celtics. Following its contest against Washington, Boston will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Tipoff between the Celtics and Wizards is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET, with the game airing on MNMT and NBA TV.

Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most historic scoring performances in NBA history on Monday night, but ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith directed most of the post-game discussion toward the Washington Wizards’ defense following Miami’s 150-129 win.

Adebayo scored 83 points – the second-highest scoring total in NBA history – leading the Heat to their sixth consecutive win, drawing widespread reaction throughout the league. During Tuesday’s broadcast of ESPN’s First Take, Smith criticized the Wizards’ defensive effort, arguing that Washington offered little resistance as Adebayo put up points all night.

Smith made his comments while discussing the game with co-host Chris Russo.

“It’s not Bam Adebayo’s fault. Brother had 31 points in the first quarter, he had 43 points at halftime, he had 62 points in three quarters, he had 70 points with nine minutes left. It’s not his fault the Washington Wizards suck. It’s not his fault you really got him a career night because he hasn’t put up much resistance in a while.”

Adebayo’s scoring progression reflects the dominance referenced by Smith. The 28-year-old started the game with 31 points in the first quarter and reached 43 points at halftime. He had 62 points entering the fourth quarter and crossed the 70-point mark with nine minutes remaining.

“It’s not like that [Bam’s] The blame is that the Washington Wizards suck. …I’m not blaming Bam Adebayo for this. Congratulations to him. This is his moment.”

—@stephensmith On 43 free throw attempts in Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance 🏀 pic.twitter.com/vEEFAxwHKh

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 11 March 2026

Stephen A. Smith says Wizards defense ‘tainted’ Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point game

Smith also suggested that the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the game contributed to the historic score.

“Then you’re talking about the Cats that are deliberately hitting people with fouls to get more possessions to give Bam Adebayo a chance at the record and things like that. Obviously he’s tarnished it, it’s not his fault. He went out there and did what he was supposed to do. And even though he didn’t shoot 50% from the field – last time I checked, shooting 48% from the field. 47% shots aren’t bad either. He shot 20 out of 43, right? It wasn’t like he shot 13 for 43.

Adebayo finished the night with 83 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 42 minutes. He shot 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from three-point range, and 36 of 43 from the free-throw line, while posting a team-best plus-20 rating.

Smith compared the performance to Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game in 2006, noting the difference in reaction from opposing defenses.

“When Kobe did that, he did it in the flow of his game and in the game itself. It got to the point where they were giving him the rock because they knew Kobe was going for it. He made 28 of 46 shots, 7 of 13 threes, he was in attack mode. I know Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell… what did he say? We did everything, we doubled him. We did everything we could. We changed the guards on that.

Smith says Heat star should be celebrated

Smith followed up his criticism of the Wizards by defending Adebayo’s performance.

“Obviously that was not the case with Bam Adebayo last night. But you can point the finger [Erik] Spoelstra, you can point the finger at his teammates, you can point the finger at how brutal the Washington Wizards were last night and it will be a stain on their franchise for years to come. But you can’t blame Bam Adebayo because obviously he was doing it and knew it from the first quarter because he had never seen a game like this in his life.

Despite Smith’s criticism of Washington, he stressed that Adebayo’s accomplishment deserves recognition.

“But this is a day where he should be celebrated because he’s one of those good guys who grabs his lunch bill and comes to work every day and does his best… Congratulations to him. This is his moment.”

The performance added another milestone to Adebayo’s season. Through 58 games, the Heat center is averaging 20 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range.

Miami improved to 37-29 with Monday’s win, extending its winning streak to six games and moving into the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

When the Miami Heat stepped into the Kasia Center for Tuesday night’s showdown against the Washington Wizards, little did they know that Bam Adebayo would make it a night no one would ever forget. While the game against the Wizards seems like an automatic win these days, if forgettable, Adebayo made sure it will be stored forever in everyone’s memory bank as he exploded for a historic 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 victory.

Adebayo shot 20-43 from the field (7-22 from deep) and 36-43 from the free-throw line, as the Wizards couldn’t stop him from scoring points even when double- or triple-teamed. The rest of the Heat team wanted Adebayo to chase this record and he did just that.

While Adebayo knows it is his name that will be in the record books, he gave credit to all To help make history, both on the Heat squad as well as on a higher note.

“Man, I wish I could have experienced it twice. I credit God, my family, my teammates. This crowd. They kept feeding me the ball,” Adebayo told Kelly Sacco of FanDuel Sports Network.

Bam Adebayo on losing 83 points in a game:

“Man, I wish I could relive it twice, I give God credit.” pic.twitter.com/JNg9Vy6f6w

– SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) 11 March 2026

The entire Heat roster helped Bam Adebayo make history

It was especially clear in the fourth quarter that the Heat team had only one thing on its mind: getting Adebayo the basketball. They were force-feeding him rocks, even if he was double- or triple-teamed. They were deliberately annoying the wizards. They were setting screens to block the ball for him, and they were also letting him handle the ball out of the backcourt.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra should also be credited for making Adebayo’s historic scoring night possible. Some coaches would remove him from the game and the game would be out of reach for the opponents, but Adebayo remained in the game and the fans got what they paid good money to see.

Bam Adebayo may not be far behind when it comes to scoring, but there’s a reason he’s a superstar in the world’s best basketball league. The Miami Heat star stunned the world after scoring 83 points, becoming the owner of the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, leading the team to a 150-129 win over the hapless Washington Wizards.

Although the Wizards did not represent the toughest opponents, especially as they were looking to lose games late in the season to earn better lottery odds, this accomplishment should not be underestimated. After all, only three players in NBA history have surpassed the 80-point mark, and Adebayo made it clear The way he carried himself after the game.

“You talk about how they don’t play defense but at the end of the day they’re an NBA team,” Adebayo told SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt.

SVP: “The Wizards’ defense is not their strength…”

Bam: “You talk about how they don’t play defense but at the end of the day they’re an NBA team”

Respect there! pic.twitter.com/LR3wc4ak8

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 11 March 2026

Seriously, the Wizards aren’t a very good team. But they have capable defenders and players who are in the NBA for a reason. But for some unknown reason, the Washington Heat couldn’t stop the star from committing fouls, allowing him to score points when facing double or even triple teams late in the game.

The accomplishments of Heat star Bam Adebayo cannot be overstated.

Would Adebayo’s 83-point night mean more if he came against a team with a better record? Not necessary. Adebayo still had to go through hoops to score 83 points and the Wizards made him work for his buckets, especially during the second half.

Is it Adebayo’s fault the Wizards couldn’t stop him from hacking? What he was doing was his job. He made these field goals. He made those buckets. And it is his name that will forever remain in the NBA record books.

Bam Adebayo has been the talk of the town after owning the second-highest scoring game in NBA history after recording 83 points in a 150-129 win for the Miami Heat over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Adebayo is a career 16 points per game scorer, averaging just under 19 for the season entering Tuesday night, making him a fairly unlikely player to surpass Kobe Bryant’s 81-point masterclass.

But amid all the celebration of Adebayo’s historic effort, there are some who are putting the game under the microscope. Some are downplaying the 83-point night because it came against the hapless Wizards, a team that never stopped fouling Adebayo (Adebayo took 43 free throws and made 36 of them).

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka wondered how Adebayo, who is not one of the best scorers of all in the NBA, can score 83 – Which says a lot about the Wizards defense.

“The first thing you think of is, not because of him, but because of the way he played. I saw he only made six threes but 40 free throws or something like that, that tells the story right there… and the Washington Wizards,” Udoka said in his postgame presser via @big_business_ on Twitter.

Ime Udoka on Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night:

“The first thing you think about is how … not because of him but because of the way he plays. I saw he only made 6 threes but 40 free throws or something, that tells the story right there and … the Washington Wizards.” pic.twitter.com/PScqMKHBPv

– Ahmed/The Ears/IG: bigbizthegod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) 11 March 2026

(Contrary to what Udoka said, Adebayo made seven threes.)

Wizards’ defense was really suspect in Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night

Adebayo deserves all the credit in the world for all the buckets he made. He went 20-43 from the field and made 36 free throws. But how did the Wizards allow the Heat star to take so many free throws in the first place?

They couldn’t get possession on Adebayo all night, and even in the fourth quarter, they were hacking him almost every time they got the ball. Adebayo deserves all the praise, but the Wizards also deserve their fair share of jokers for their stellar defensive performance.

After years of becoming an NBA star in Atlanta, Trae Young recently made his Washington Wizards debut as fans anticipate a new era of basketball. Coupled with a young, talented lineup that includes three top-10 NBA draft picks and now the sky could be the limit for the Young-led Wizards. While making his Washington debut, Young used a pair of perfectly matching Air Jordan 40s to compliment his new threads.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Not only was this the debut for Young in a Wizards uniform, but it also officially marked his second season under the Jordan Brand Jumpman. Endorsing the Air Jordan 39 last season, Trae Young debuted the latest Air Jordan 40 silhouette, which was loved by stars like Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Miami’s Bam Adebayo. Young notably left Adidas in 2024 after releasing three eponymous signature silhouettes with the brand.

Launching in July 2025, the Air Jordan 40 is the newest and most updated iteration of the longest-running signature sneaker line in history. Designed with all the technologies that were not available to Michael Jordan during his playing days, the Jordan 40 is meant to represent the elite talent of the modern game.

Trae Young’s Air Jordan 40 PE

Trae Young makes his Wizards debut with the “Metallic Copper” Air Jordan 40. pic.twitter.com/QzKS1nZ98q

– B/R Kicks (@brkicks) 6 March 2026

New city, new style.

Trae Young makes his Wizards debut in the “Copper” Air Jordan 40. pic.twitter.com/wf2f2s8bgh

– SLAM Kicks (@SLAMKicks) 6 March 2026

In recent years, the Washington Wizards have made a concerted effort to return their classic gold jerseys from the 2006–2009 season. Giving fans a taste of nostalgia, the franchise announced that the uniform will return in the form of the 25-26 Nike City Edition kit and it has already been seen several times. Trae Young made his Wizards debut with a classic uniform, matching the gleaming gold uniform with an all-copper Air Jordan 40.

The “Metallic Copper” Air Jordan 40 features a shiny copper leather upper, contrasted by a flat black sole and black laces. The colorway was launched by Jordan Brand but quickly sold out due to high demand, but the shoes are available in the aftermarket at close to their original retail price.

As far as Trae Young is concerned, we’ll wait to see what new Jordan Brand sneakers he’s able to pull from the catalog during his new visit to Washington.

On January 31, 2025, Dejounte Murray’s first season with the New Orleans Pelicans ended prematurely when he ruptured his Achilles in an Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. A torn Achilles usually involves an absence of nearly or more than a year, and for the Pelicans guard, it certainly took his time to heal. And the patience with which he carried out his recovery seems to have helped him get back into form.

On Sunday, the Pelicans won 138-118 over the Washington Wizards and Murray has continued his solid play so far in his return. His minutes haven’t been so limited either; He played 30 minutes against the Phoenix Suns last Friday, and was out for 24 minutes in the blowout win over the Wizards, and recorded 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals for that contest.

Although Murray has not yet returned to his All-Star form, the fact that he has been so productive for the Pelicans early in his comeback is a source of joy not only for the team, but also for fans of the former All-Star. On Sunday, former NFL safety Ryan Clark were present and praised Murray highly.

Clark said via Pelican Film Room on Twitter

“You know it when you meet a real person.. He’s a guy that will inspire other people… It’s authenticity. You feel that under his leadership.. That’s why I’m here. It’s my first game of the season… I wanted to make sure he saw me”

-Ryan Clark on Dejounte Murray pic.twitter.com/1K0uDQrbM1

– Pelican Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) 9 March 2026

Pelicans want to bounce back next season

The 2025-26 season is over long ago for the Pelicans. All that’s left for them to do this season is play with pride and maybe screw up the plans of the Atlanta Hawks, who they surrendered in the Derrick Queen swap, by winning as many games as they can.

But when the Pelicans are healthy, they are hoping to dismantle the Western Conference playoff picture.

Angel Reese has a lot of experience being in the spotlight, but last week it was her little brother Julian Reese’s turn and she’s been supporting him from the sidelines every step of the way. During JuJu’s first three games with the Washington Wizards, Angel has been vocally in his favor even as he had breakout moments.

“She attacks me before and after every game, just tells me what I need to do. [She] Watches games, tries to message me during halftime, stuff like that. Sometimes I have to push him away from me a little bit, just try to tell him to let me do what I do,” JuJu said with a smile. ”But it’s great to have a sister who always leans on me and tries to see the best for her brother, especially when he’s busy with what he’s doing. Love her till death.”

Julianne Reese on Angel Reese:

“She beats me up before and after every game and tells me what to do… It’s great to have a sister who is always there for me and tries to see the best for her brother… Love her to death” ❤️

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/PnAo1Jr6oi https://t.co/bqq9f5gUO0

– Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) 6 March 2026

The Wizards signed JuJu to a two-way contract on February 28, and he has played three games so far with the team battling injuries. He had 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals in his first two contests and followed up the success with an 18-point, 20-rebound performance in the third. Angel can be seen cheering for his brother both in person and online.

Angel Reese is courtside watching her brother JuJu Reese in his second career NBA game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2xPhBstc9R

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 4 March 2026

JuJu MF Reese. @reese10julian

– Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) 6 March 2026

The Reese siblings clearly have a lot in common on the court, as they have both demonstrated an impressive ability to work on the glass. JuJu set a Wizards franchise rookie record with 10 offensive rebounds in his third outing, while Angel has averaged a double-double with rebounds in each of his last five seasons. They both became the youngest players in their respective leagues to score 18+ points and 10+ offensive boards in a game, proving that the talent for grabbing “Maybounds” runs in their family.

Forever ours♾️ https://t.co/DL7wIA2oWt pic.twitter.com/vGKI4D4ePQ

– Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) 4 March 2026

Washington DC – The Washington Wizards lost 122-112 at home to the Utah Jazz on Thursday, but it was a perfect night for the franchise. Between star guard Trae Young’s Wizards debut, tank standings and rookie big man Julian “JuJu” Reese’s historic outing, there was a lot to like.

Head coach Brian Keefe spoke openly about Young’s on-court leadership after the game.

“People love it, they generate energy and confidence for their teammates,” he said. “There’s an energy he plays with, the unselfishness he plays with, that thing is contagious. You can feel it with our passing. He’s a scorer too, but his unselfishness… that’s the thing I really believe is contagious. The ball was moving around well and I was really happy with that.”

According to Keefe, eight of Washington’s 10 players dished out multiple assists and eight scored in double figures. The only one who didn’t do so was guard Jaden Hardy, who recorded four points (1-7 FG, 1-4 3-point) with one assist in 11 minutes.

Young finished with 12 points (4-9 FG, 1-5 3-point) with six assists, two rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes, but the excitement he brought to Capital One Arena couldn’t be measured by the box score. The 27-year-old, many among the 17,689 fans, was left screaming for his first bucket, a behind the back fake pass Another drive, another three, and more highlights.

Try Young Wizards Debut Highlights

12 points – 6 assists (19 minutes) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dkrxtygMwK

– WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) 6 March 2026

Young is on a minutes restriction as he recovers from knee and quad injuries that limited him to just 10 games played for the Atlanta Hawks this season before being traded to the Wizards on Jan. 7, but Thursday still showed why the latter team acquired him. The four-time All-Star’s ability to get to the rim and create open looks for teammates has been foreign to Washington since the John Wall era, outside of Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the team in 2020-21. Instead of a committee approach at point guard, the squad finally has an engine.

Along with big men Alex Sarr (hamstring) and Anthony Davis (finger), Young primarily set up the other guards for three-point attempts. The former All-NBA honoree assisted two-way forward Leakey Black, third-year guard Bilal Quibly, rookie guard Trey Johnson (twice), and second-year guard Bub Carrington on long-range buckets. Overall, he was responsible for 29 points.

At the same time, the Wizards still lost to the Jazz, who were without starters such as forward Lauri Markkanen (hip), forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), and guard Keyonte George (ankle). This gives them more relief to tank in the standings, as they have the fourth-worst record (16-46) while Utah is fifth-worst (19-44). Washington would have to finish with a bottom-four record this summer to be guaranteed to retain their top-eight protected lottery selection.

Plus, the team is now just one game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers, who are tied for second-worst. Finishing second worst would guarantee selection in the top six, while finishing third worst would guarantee selection in the top seven, and so on.

For now, Wizards fans can enjoy finally having a star player in the lineup again before the franchise focuses on winning games next season and beyond.

JuJu Reese makes the most of Wizards’ opportunities

With Davis out since the beginning of January, Washington did not have much depth after sending Marvin Bagley to the Dallas Mavericks in the Davis deal on February 4. Sir has not played since a 132-101 loss to the Miami Heat on Feb. 8, and backup seven-footer Tristan Vukcevic (thigh) has not played since a 134-125 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.

Enter Reese. The Wizards signed the Baltimore native to a two-way contract on Saturday and thrust him into the starting center role for Monday’s 123-118 home loss to the Houston Rockets, his NBA debut. He started again in a 126-109 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday and had 18 points (5-7 FG), 20 rebounds (10 offensive), two assists and a block in 38 minutes on Thursday. His rebounds were the most by any rookie this season and the most by any Washington rookie since Tom Gugliotta (20) against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 29, 1993. Additionally, her sister Angel Reese was the youngest WNBA player to record more than 18 points and more than 10 offensive rebounds in a game last season, and she is the youngest NBA player to do so this season.

JuJu told ClutchPoints his impressions of the Wizards organization after the game.

I asked JuJu Reese his first impressions of the Wizards:

“Great team, great organization. Great for developing guys. A lot of guys have come here who are good players and make a lot of money, they told me that right away. Just try to maximize your talent…” pic.twitter.com/oPz6sJp3gh

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 6 March 2026

“Great team, great organization. Great for developing guys,” the former Maryland Terrapin said. “There are a lot of people who come here who are good players and make a lot of money, they told me that right away. Just try to maximize your talent…”

Since general manager Will Dawkins and president Michael Winger took over in 2023, Washington’s development program has built a foundation of young talent led by Sarr, second-year wing Kishawn George (UCL), Johnson, Coulibaly and Carrington. Reese will need more than one historic game against another tanking team to be a part of that long-term group, but if he continues to perform like this he’ll give the front office something to think about.

Next up for the Wizards is a road date with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

The Utah Jazz have had a tough season so far, currently sitting in 14th place in the Western Conference with an 18-44 record, with some major injuries derailing their campaign. However, it has undoubtedly allowed some of the Jazz’s younger players to play without pressure, something that seems to be paying off when it comes to the No. 5 pick of the 2025 draft, Ace Bailey.

Bailey had the best performance of his career against the Washington Wizards, and produced a spectacular dunk in the third quarter, leading him to 26 points on the night. The feat was immediately acknowledged by the official NBA X account, which posted a clip of the dunk. In it, Bailey can be seen receiving the ball at the edge of the three-point zone before delivering a dominant dunk after driving to the rim.

New career high for Ace Bailey! motiv

He’s up to 26 pts after this slam…and that’s only 3q’s 👀 pic.twitter.com/3rThHNVTRI

– NBA (@NBA) 6 March 2026

“A new career-high for Ace Bailey! 🔥 After this slam he’s up to 26 pts… and that’s only 3Qs 👀,” it read acknowledging the milestone performance.

The Jazz ultimately won 122–112, with Bailey scoring 32 points and two rebounds for the night. The Jazz came into this game after seven consecutive losses and needed their young star to perform against a Wizards team that had Trae Young in the starting lineup for the first time since moving to Atlanta.

They remained comfortable throughout, starting the game with a 37-23 quarter lead and never letting up. Utah extended its lead to 18 points by the end of the first half and then maintained a comfortable lead until the end of the third half, outscoring the Wizards 35–26.

The Jazz’s overall shooting efficiency was 51.1% compared to the Wizards’ 46.8%, and Isaiah Collier also contributed 27 points. Kyle Filipowski was the third player to score at least 20, finishing with 20 points, 11 assists and three rebounds.

For the Wizards, Julian Reese top-scored with just 18 points, while Young finished with 12 points and six assists. They were two of seven players who scored in double figures on the night for the Wizards, who have now lost seven straight games.

The Washington Wizards are set to host the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Is Trae Young going to make his Wizards debut tonight?

Young was transferred from the Atlanta Hawks to the Wizards before the 2026 trade deadline. However, he has yet to make his debut with Washington, as the All-Star guard is dealing with a knee injury that has kept him out of action since late December.

Here’s everything we know about Trae Young’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Jazz.

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Trae Young’s injury status vs. Jazz

Trae Young is not listed on the NBA injury report and is expected to make his Wizards debut tonight against the Jazz.

The Wizards hope Young and Anthony Davis can lead the team to a postseason run next year. Although Davis is still out due to injury, the next few weeks of the 2025–26 season will give Young a chance to get comfortable with his new team.

At 16-45 and 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, Washington is not going to contend this year. Still, the future is interesting for magicians.

When it comes to the question of whether Trae Young is playing tonight against the Jazz, the answer is yes.

magicians injury report

The Wizards have eight players listed on the injury report.

• Anthony Gill (illness): doubtful
• Anthony Davis (sprained left finger): Out
• Kishawn George (left elbow sprain): Out
• D’Angelo Russell (not with team): Out
• Alex Sarr (right hamstring strain): Out
• Tristan Vukcevic (left thigh injury): Out
• Jameer Watkins (sprained left ankle): Out
• Cam Whitmore (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis): out

The Jazz played a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, which they lost 106–102. With Thursday’s contest representing the second consecutive contest for Utah, the Jazz have not released their injury report as of the writing of this story.

Washington, DC – One of the Washington Wizards’ most dramatic games of the season was a 123-118 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, which included a Trae Young ejection. But third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly’s season-high 23 points (9-16, 5-7 3-point) were the most important aspect of the night for Washington’s development.

The 21-year-old player told ClutchPoints after the game What has helped him improve? Recently his shooting took place.

Bilal Coulibaly scored a season-high 23 points tonight and went 5 of 7 from deep. His shot has improved significantly recently, and he attributes it to getting more reps and finding his rhythm. The oft-injured guard has been in the lineup consistently since late January, having… pic.twitter.com/EbxySnQcwl

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 3 March 2026

“Just getting more reps, being out there more,” he said. “Finding my rhythm, and yeah, just my thing.”

Koulibaly’s recent increase in shooting efficiency has coincided with his healthiest stretch of the season. The 6-foot-7-inch, 195-pound player has appeared in 15 of the Wizards’ last 16 games after missing multiple contests in each month from October through January. He struggled offensively throughout the postseason, topping out with a 41.7% field goal clip in January and a 29.6% 3-point clip in November. However, he posted a 46% field goal clip (33.3% 3-point) in February.

Head coach Brian Keefe was asked if the improvement was due to more reps or any specific changes such as his shooting form.

He said, “I’m not going to go into that specifically, but you know, he’s diligent about his craft, he’s working on specific things.” “It’s really intentional, and you have to put time into it, and he’s doing it all.”

While Keefe kept the details to himself, Coulibaly’s look now looks more effortless than ever. For example, the shot of the original Frenchman in this practice clip from October 18 was disjointed, because he didn’t always release the ball At the top of his jump.

After practice, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly hit three shots. Coulibaly continued to work after suffering a thumb injury at the EuroBasket. pic.twitter.com/xVcoVyCm8d

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 18 October 2025

However, Monday’s game was a different story. The clip below shows Coulibaly shooting with fluid motion And without a hitch, when he hit an off-dribble three after letting the ball go at the top of his jump.

Four triples in the first half for Bilal

📊 14 PTS | 4 pm 3 pm pic.twitter.com/Q5d76aewLj

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 3 March 2026

The eye test shows that Coulibaly has made necessary changes to his mechanics, which could change the direction of his career. At this point, the two-time Rising Star has established himself as a defensive specialist with supreme athleticism, as he is known for explosive dunks. But his field goal clip has decreased each season, as he posted a 43.5% mark as a rookie before dropping to 42.1% last year and 41.9% this year. Additionally, his three-point percentage as a rookie dropped from 34.6 last season to 28.1, and this year he is at 30.4%. This has made him a liability offensively.

Injuries have played a role, as Koulibaly was shut down in March 2024 with a right wrist fracture and then again last March with a hamstring strain. Additionally, the 2023 No. 7 overall pick had thumb surgery in September after tearing a ligament while playing for France at EuroBasket, causing him to miss the first four games of the season. He also had other minor illnesses due to which he lost time.

It’s difficult for a player to settle into a rhythm and improve when he’s constantly injured, but if Koulibaly continues to stay healthy and efficient offensively, he’ll make a strong case as a long-term player ahead of his first extension-eligible offseason.

Young, who will make his Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz, should get more open looks than Coulibaly because of his offensive intensity. If the latter player takes advantage of the opportunity, he could finish the season with a career-best shooting percentage.

Trae Young, Kevin Durant headline fun Wizards-Rockets contest

Young (knee/quad) didn’t play Monday, but he made his presence known when he was ejected for walking the floor in street clothes while Washington rookie Jameer Watkins and Houston forward Tari Eason got into an altercation. Youth was stuck For Watkins, as Eason had pushed him to the ground moments earlier.

Trae Young was benched from Wizards-Rockets before even playing a minute with the team 😳

He went to the floor during an argument between Jameer Watkins and Tari Eason.

pic.twitter.com/T5vsaMdneK

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 3 March 2026

Fans cheered Young as he entered the tunnel, and after the game he posted about the incident on social media.

He added, “Don’t expect me to be out in DC that many times.. but I’ll definitely bring that energy and competitiveness when I come back for my brothers.”

Although Young broke the rules by taking the court as a passive player, it showed that he cared about his teammates. Additionally, the former All-NBA honoree announced via social media on Tuesday that he will not be suspended before Thursday’s start.

Additionally, Rockets superstar and D.C.-area native Kevin Durant recorded 30 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3-point) with seven rebounds in 37 minutes on his homecoming night. The 37-year-old also became irritated with second-year Wizards guard Bub Carrington as the two talked trash before pushing Carrington back at the end of the game. The latter player then fell to the ground and Durant faced a technical foul.

However, the future Hall of Famer held no grudge against Washington. it was seemed to be giving signals Second-year Wizards wing Keyshawn George postgame via On SI’s Lachard Binkley.

KD loves basketball. Even after playing 37 minutes, he is still giving the other team’s youngsters pointers that they can use for the rest of their careers. pic.twitter.com/HvUUvyak7m

– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) 3 March 2026

Durant also said he is “excited for the hometown team”, now that youth and star big man Anthony Davis is in the district via Carita Park of Double Take Sports. Wizards fans haven’t had much to get excited about in recent years, but the team’s young core combined with their new stars and whoever they draft in the lottery this summer gives them a chance to be competitive next season and beyond.

The Atlanta Hawks essentially hit the reset button when they traded franchise cornerstone Trae Young to the Washington Wizards at the deadline. It’s clear they plan to build around their youth like rising star Jalen Johnson. And their other deadline trade for Jonathan Kuminga solidifies their direction. According to NBA insider Jake Fisher, the name of the game for the Hawks is to identify potential young talent, which they hope to do with the signing of Keyshawn Gilbert to a two-way contract roster spot.

With the Hawks signing Keyshawn Gilbert, all three two-way contract spots on their roster have been filled. The Hawks had an open spot after converting Caleb Houston’s two-way to a standard deal. Gilbert joins Christian Koloko and Raze Dennis as the Hawks’ two-way contract players.

Gilbert is on a new term with the Wizards as part of a 10-day contract. During that period, he appeared in three games, at a rate of approximately 16 minutes per game. He averaged 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from 2-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line.

His best game came in his first game with the Wizards, even though they lost to the Brooklyn Nets. He finished with a well-rounded stat line of four points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots in a little over 28 minutes. He went a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Gilbert joined the Wizards for training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract. He was waived before the start of the season, and was playing for their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go’s.

Washington, DC – The Washington Wizards began the last full calendar month of their season with a 123-118 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night, and they are close to retaining their top-eight protected draft pick this summer. Furthermore, their young core has taken a step forward.

For example, rookie forward Will Riley talked about partner Rookie Trey Johnson’s rise after Saturday night’s 134-125 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Will Riley on Trey Johnson’s development this season:

“Obviously he’s an amazing player. He’s also a really good teammate, he wants to see guys succeed. He’ll always encourage guys, and he’ll also tell you what you’re doing wrong, which I appreciate as a teammate. He’s a… pic.twitter.com/YKxiFLD2Yc

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 1 March 2026

“Obviously he’s an amazing player. He’s also a really good teammate, he wants to see guys succeed,” the 20-year-old said. “He’ll always encourage guys, and he’ll also tell you what you’re doing wrong, which I appreciate as a teammate. He’s a great kid, has amazing work ethic. He’s always in the gym, always one of the last guys in there with me. Always competing…”

Riley may not have intended to compliment himself when he complimented Johnson, but he did when he noted that his partner was “one of the last guys.” [the gym] With me.” The “with me” part is the highlight of the statement, as it indicates equality between the two novices.

While the cliché about professional athletes working around the clock to get better is as old as time, the work ethic is yielding results for both players. Johnson ranks third among 2025 draftees with a 37.4 percent 3-point clip (minimum of five attempts per game), and Riley averaged 14.6 points on 47 percent shooting (37.5 percent 3-point) with 4.3 rebounds in 27.1 minutes in February, the first month in which he averaged more than 20 minutes.

Washington is on a losing streak this season, but these statistical achievements are long-term wins. They represent growth, as Riley shot 38.2 percent (31.8 percent 3-pointers) in January, and Johnson his playmaking improved From the beginning of the campaign.

Trey Johnson playmaking. pic.twitter.com/dO3qrXzjNM

– Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) 13 January 2026

Johnson was the Wizards’ reward for tanking last season, when they were led by veteran guard Jordan Poole and a rookie Alex Sarr. They received the No. 6 overall selection in the draft lottery, the lowest selection they would receive after finishing with the NBA’s second-worst record (18–64). They missed out on star prospects Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, but Johnson’s deadeye shooting and promising playmaking could make him a potential upper-tier player in his own right once he reaches his peak.

Meanwhile, acquiring Riley was the result of last season’s Marcus Smart trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis traded a 2025 lottery-protected first-round pick to Washington to absorb the unwanted salary of Smart, who moved up to the No. 18 overall selection after clinching a playoff berth by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 120–106 in their second play-in tournament game. The Wizards then moved up to No. 21 on draft night and selected Riley.

To increase their floor in the lottery and take advantage of cap space in trades, Washington added two building blocks to a young core that includes Sarr, second-year wing Keyshawn George, second-year guard Bub Carrington and third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly. In addition to developing those players this season, it acquired stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Young will make his Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz.

Additionally, Washington is on track to retain their 2026 lottery pick as they have the NBA’s fourth-worst record (16-44) with 22 games remaining. It would have to finish with a bottom-four record to guarantee a selection in a class featuring superstar prospects like BYU’s AJ DiBuntsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darin Peterson.

It’s been a tough road for long-suffering Wizards fans. The team has not had a winning season since 2017–18, and has finished bottom every year since general manager Will Dawkins and president Michael Winger took over in the 2023 offseason. But Washington will finally be ready to win next season, and it’s partly due to the development of Johnson and Riley.

Danny Wolf makes hilarious confession to Will Riley

Riley had a career day in Washington’s 127–113 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on February 7, scoring 27 points (10-19 FG, 4-6 3-point) with three rebounds, three steals and two assists in 45 minutes. The Wizards used an eight-man rotation full of backups, as it was in their best interests to lose against fellow bottom-feeders like the Nets, but the native Canadian’s performance was another step forward.

Brooklyn rookie Danny Wolf talked to ClutchPoints about the relay postgame.

I asked Nets rookie Danny Wolf for his thoughts on fellow rookie Will Riley, who scored a career-high 27 points for the Wizards today (thread):

“Obviously he’s a talented player. To his credit, he played 45 minutes tonight, which is not easy to do in the NBA…He has a lot of things to offer…” pic.twitter.com/f9kVJ2jwgB

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 7 February 2026

“Obviously he’s a talented player,” the former Michigan Wolverine said. “To his credit, he played 45 minutes tonight, which is not easy to do in the NBA… He has a lot of tools. He frustrated us when he was at Illinois. He’s a good player.”

Wolf was not lying, as Riley and the Fighting Illini defeated the Wolverines 93–73 on March 2, 2025. The latter averaged 13 points (6-12 FG, 0-4 3-point) with four rebounds and five assists and later won Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors.

Riley has shown his proficiency as a jumbo shot creator this season, and his improvement as a spot-up from long range bodes well for his future. The 6-foot-9, 180-pounder could stand to add some muscle, which would help him dominate inside defenders. But the Nets game and his general ascent in February showed what he can already do with extended playing time.

The Wizards have a road date with the Orlando Magic next Tuesday.

While the headlines from the Houston Rockets’ 123-118 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday focused on Trae Young’s bizarre “zero-second” ejection, the real story for basketball purists happened after the final buzzer. Kevin Durant, despite a grueling 37 minutes, stayed on the field at Capital One Arena to mentor one of the league’s newest faces.

Durant was seen pulling Wizards rookie Keyshawn George aside for a lengthy conversation after the game. The 14-time All-Star appeared to be giving the 22-year-old pointers about his positioning and shot selection, demonstrating once again that he is truly a student of the game who never misses an opportunity to coach the next generation.

KD loves basketball. Even after playing 37 minutes, he is still giving the other team’s youngsters pointers that they can use for the rest of their careers. pic.twitter.com/HvUUvyak7m

– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) 3 March 2026

On the court, Durant was his usual efficient self. “Slim Reaper” finished the night with 30 points and 7 rebounds. He led a Rockets attack that benefited a Wizards team that was clearly upset by the early-game scuffle between Jameer Watkins and Tari Eason. While Alpern Sengun dominated on the interior with 32 points and 13 rebounds, Durant provided a steady veteran hand that kept Houston in control in the second half.

For George, the mid-court readout was probably the highlight of a tough night for the Wizards. The rookie finished with 16 points and two assists in 22 minutes of action, struggling against Houston’s length at times. Getting a private masterclass from one of the greatest scorers in NBA history is a rare perk of the job, and it’s a testament to Durant’s enduring love for the game.

The Wizards will need George to apply that knowledge quickly. Washington continues to slide toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with the Rockets improving to 38–22. They’ll look to bounce back on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, hopefully with Trae Young actually on the floor this time.

The Atlanta Hawks face the Washington Wizards on Tuesday hoping to pick up their 29th win of the season. Unfortunately, star forward Jalen Johnson is said to have suffered a hip injury during the contest.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, reports indicate that Johnson, who is 24, suffered a left hip strain during the game. The Hawks listed him as questionable to return.

“Hawks say Jalen Johnson has a left hip flexor injury and is questionable to return against the Wizards.”

The injury occurred during the first six minutes of the game against the Wizards. Jalen Johnson left the court after recording five points, three rebounds and two steals on 50.0% shooting from the floor. According to Siegel, after a quick trip to the locker room, Atlanta ruled Johnson out for the remainder of the game.

“Jalen Johnson will not return to tonight’s game due to his hip injury.”

Hopefully, it’s not a serious injury and Johnson can return soon. He has emerged as one of the go-to stars for the Hawks, as he entered Tuesday’s contest averaging 23.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 49.4% from the floor and 34.3% from beyond the three-point line. He earned an All-Star award this season for the first time in his career.

Newly hired forward Jonahn Kuminga may get some additional playing time alongside Jalen Johnson against the Wizards. Zachary Rishachar may also see an expanded role. Either way, these are the two players most likely to step up for the Hawks if Johnson misses time with a hip injury.

The Atlanta Hawks have a chance to get back fully healthy for the first time in a long time, as Jonathan Kuminga’s status has been upgraded ahead of their matchup against the Washington Wizards. Kuminga has been dealing with a hamstring injury since his time with the Golden State Warriors and then joining the Atlanta Hawks and has yet to make his debut with his new team.

With Kuminga now being listed as questionable against the Wizards, it’s a good sign that he’s close to returning to the court.

Last week, the Hawks noted that Kuminga was making good progress from his bone bruise and would be re-evaluated in a week, with an update on his condition.

Kuminga was seen hitting some shots during the Hawks’ practice, which was a good indication of where he can be when he gets on the floor.

Adding Kuminga to the Hawks’ rotation could help improve their wing rotation, and his skill set could open things up for the rest of the team as well. His ability to drive and get into the lane will be key for the Hawks, whether he’s making shots or finding opposing teammates on kick-outs.

The Hawks recently made a lineup change, inserting C.J. McCollum into the starting lineup and moving Zachary Risacher off the bench. Head coach Quin Snyder said after their win against the Brooklyn Nets that the Hawks are better statistically when McCollum is on the floor with Dyson Daniels, Nickell Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, which proves why they made the move.

With Risacher being a wing, it will be interesting to see how those minutes off the bench are allocated when Kuminga is healthy, and if he can be on the floor at the same time.

Throughout almost his entire career, it seems as if LeBron James has been chasing the ghost that has been haunting his career in Michael Jordan. And perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers star is on his way to taking a page out of Jordan’s playbook by ending his career there with the Washington Wizards.

Now, this may be an exaggeration, and there are certainly no concrete indications that James is even considering a move to the Wizards. She is well settled in LA, as she and her family are living comfortably in the city. It is unlikely that James will move away from home at the end of his career.

Nonetheless, James gave a glowing review of the Wizards after their trade deadline, including acquiring his good friend Anthony Davis, which could be the first step toward an unexpected move to the nation’s capital.

“I’m interested to see what they do and how it all comes together. Obviously with AD we know the talent level is out of this world. And Trae, his ability to play the pick and roll game, his ability to shoot the ball, with his lob threat,” James said on the latest episode of the Mind the Game podcast.

“They have some pieces and I think for the first time in a few years we can say Washington has grabbed some pieces. So it will be interesting to see what happens.”

LeBron James showers love on Wizards’ youngsters

There really is something going on in the nation’s capital, and James is right that the time to invest in Wizards shares might be now.

“I love the young kid from France that’s on their team too, Sarr. We just played with him two weeks ago. Great touch, great feel for the game. Love the kid George, too. Young kid, um, very good player. And then also the rookie kid they got from Texas, Johnson, Trey Johnson,” James said.