OCTOBER 8 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 2-13 · 15TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
2-13 · 15TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Wizards G Malcolm Brogdon recovering from thumb surgery Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon is recovering from surgery for a torn ligament in his right thumb, the team announced Tuesday.He su...
Malcolm Brogdon - Undergoes thumb surgery Brogdon underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact Brogdon suffered the injury during Saturday's practice, but now there's a bit more clarity. While a timetable hasn't been officially announced, previous reports suggested he will miss at least a month of action. In his absence, guys like Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert and Carlton Carrington could see more opportunity in the backcourt.
OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Malcolm Brogdon - Out at least one month Brogdon (hand) is expected to miss at least one month, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact During a training camp practice, Brogdon injured his right hand and underwent detailed imaging exams to determine the severity. However, Robbins relays that even before the tests took place a source told The Athletic that Brogdon would miss at least a month. This is just another setback for the oft-injured veteran guard, who's played fewer than 60 regular-season games in five of his seven NBA seasons. Second-year wing Bilal Coulibaly started at shooting guard in Brogdon's absence during the preseason opener, but veteran Corey Kispert and rookie Bud Carrington are also candidates for extra minutes to start the campaign.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Corey Kispert - Operates off bench in opener Kispert produced five points (1-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist in 19 minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to the Wizards.
Impact With Malcolm Brogdon (hand) unavailable, Bilal Coulibaly started at shooting guard over Kispert, who's made 103 career starts in three seasons. Washington is expected to be at the bottom of the standings again, so it wouldn't be surprising if Coulibaly continued to see developmental minutes over Kispert once the regular season begins.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Bilal Coulibaly - Starts at shooting guard in opener Couliably posted 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 24 minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to the Raptors.
Impact With Malcolm Brogdon (hand) unavailable, Coulibaly drew the start at shooting guard over Corey Kispert. Coulibaly's rookie season was a mixed bag, but he showed promise. Given the Wizards aren't expected to compete for a playoff spot this season, Coulibaly should get plenty of developmental minutes even if he struggles out of the gate in Year 2.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
After a shaky first season in D.C., Jordan Poole still has Wizards' trust To get the best out of Jordan Poole this season, the Washington Wizards are putting the ball in his hands and having him play point guard.
OCTOBER 7 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Media Availability: Head Coach Brian Keefe
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
Tangerine Game Highlights: Raptors vs Wizards
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
Alex Sarr puts up 15 in NBA preseason debut at Raptors
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
Tristan Vukcevic - Scores 10 points in limited action Vukcevic registered 10 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one rebound across eight minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to the Raptors.
Impact Vukcevic was one of four Wizards players to score in double digits Sunday despite playing just eight minutes off the bench. The 2023 second-round pick spent most of his rookie year playing overseas and didn't join the Wizards until mid-March. Vukcevic will likely spend most of the 2024-25 season in the G League, but he'll use the preseason to make a case to stick around on the Wizards' 15-man roster for the start of the regular season.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Alex Sarr - Efficient in preseason debut Sarr tallied 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt), four assists, three rebounds and one block across 22 minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to Toronto.
Impact The No. 2 overall pick was the second-leading scorer for the Wizards on Sunday behind Jordan Poole (16). Sarr had some shooting struggles during the Summer League, but he was efficient in the preseason opener. Sarr should be starting in the frontcourt alongside Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Kuzma to start the 2024-25 campaign.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Poole - Leads starters with 16 points Poole finished Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to the Raptors with 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six assists and one rebound over 22 minutes.
Impact Poole was the leading scorer for the Wizards on Sunday and second for the game behind RJ Barrett (shoulder). Poole had a volatile 2023-24 campaign, and he finished his first season with the Wizards averaging 17.4 points on 41.3 percent shooting (including 32.6 percent from three on 7.2 3PA/G), 4.4 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 30.1 minutes per game. Poole is slated to serve as Washington's primary ballhandler to start the 2024-25 season.
OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
WIZARDS at RAPTORS | NBA PRESEASON FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | October 6, 2024
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
#2 Pick Alexandre Sarr IMPRESSIVE Preseason Debut – 15 Points, 4 Assists 🔥
OCTOBER 7 • YOUTUBE
Malcolm Brogdon - Ruled out Sunday Coach Brian Keefe said Sunday that Brogdon will not suit up for Sunday's preseason matchup versus the Raptors due to a hand injury, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.
Impact Brogdon hit his shooting hand in practice Saturday and will head back to Washington D.C. for imaging. The Wizards will likely remain cautious with the 31-year-old, and it is unclear if he will make an appearance during the preseason. The veteran is expected to play a prominent role for the Wizards this year, stepping in as the starting point guard after Tyus Jones' departure.
OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Wizards rookie Kyshawn George begins pro career in a familiar spot As the Wizards begin their exhibition schedule in Montreal, the rookie guard will also get a family reunion.
OCTOBER 6 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Jordan Poole - Starting season as point guard Poole will be Washington's starting point guard and primary ball handler to start the season, Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports Network reports.
Impact Todd details Poole, coach Brian Keefe and General Manager Will Dawkins collaborating to assess the best way to maximize what the 25-year-old can bring to the Wizards' backcourt. Entering Year 2 of a four-year, $128 million contract, Washington attempting to rehabilitate Poole's efficiency is a commendable effort. Poole spent 46.1 percent of his on-ball touches working out of pick-and-roll last season, but Washington mustered a subpar 47.4 effective field-goal percentage on those possessions -- ranking 61st out of 62 qualifying ball handlers. On a personal level, Poole's total performance improved after the All-Star Break, averaging 20.9 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent on 8.9 threes per game across 26 contests.
OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Poole - Participates in first camp practice Poole (illness) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact Poole's first season in Washington didn't start great, and he was ultimately moved out of the starting lineup for a couple of weeks. However, the benching appeared to light a fire under him, and he finished strong, averaging 20.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals over his final 27 regular-season appearances. Poole missed the final two games of the campaign due to an illness, but as expected, that won't impact him to start the 2024-25 campaign.
OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Marvin Bagley III - Good to go during training camp Bagley (knee) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact Bagley missed six straight games to end the 2023-24 regular season, but that was likely precautionary. The Duke product carved out a consistent role after a mid-season trade to Washington last year and produced enough to be fantasy-relevant. However, after the offseason acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas, Bagley will be competing for backup frontcourt minutes with Alex Sarr, Richaun Holmes and Tristan Vukcevic.
OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Kuzma - Heathy to start camp Kuzma (ankle) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact Kuzma missed 10 of Washington's final 15 regular-season games, including five straight to end the campaign. However, that was likely precautionary and helped the Wizards improve their draft position. Kuzma averaged career highs in points (22.2) and assists (4.2) per game last season while also posting career-best percentages from the field (46.3) and charity stripe (77.5). Kuzma could be a trade candidate if the Wizards fall out of playoff contention again, but as long as he's in Washington, the dynamic scorer should be a go-to player and reap the statistical benefits.
OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Malcolm Brogdon - Will likely take on leadership role Brogdon could take on a leadership role with the Wizards this season, and he said Monday there have been "good signs of them trying to build the culture the right way," Double Take...
Impact Brogdon was acquired by the Wizards via trade during the offseason, and he said Monday that joining the team felt like a "full-circle moment." The eight-year vet out of Virginia spent last season with the Trail Blazers, during which he averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds across 28.7 minutes per game in only 39 regular-season appearances. Brogdon will likely play a key role in the rotation while mentoring the club's young backcourt talent -- Carleton Carrington, Jared Butler and Johnny Davis. With a few young options in the backcourt, the Wizards could look to trade Brogdon with one-year remaining on his contract, but he will likely begin the season with the Wizards while taking on a leadership role.
OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
Under Brian Keefe, Jordan Poole begins Year 2 in D.C. in a much better place
Jordan Poole first became a Washington Wizards player in July 2023 as part of a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Golden State WarriorsSEPTEMBER 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
