MARCH 5, 2022 • NBA.COM
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 2-15 · 15TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
2-15 · 15TH IN EASTERN CONFERENCE
Next Game at Bucks · Sun 1:00AM
WAS +15.5 TOTAL 230.5
Preview: Porzingis probable as Wizards face Pacers Sunday in D.C. ' Washington Wizards In what is likely to be the debut of recently acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis, the Wizards host the Pacers on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Capita...
Wizards Upgrade Porzingis to Probable for Sunday Vs. Pacers The seven-footer could make his debut in Washington this weekend.
MARCH 5, 2022 • SI.COM
Kristaps Porzingis - Expected to debut Sunday Porzingis (knee) is expected to debut Sunday against the Pacers barring an unforeseen setback in morning shootaround, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Impact Porzingis last played Jan. 29 against the Pacers while a member of the Mavericks and has been sidelined since due to a bruised right knee. Though the Wizards are down Bradley Beal (wrist) for the season, Washington still has a chance to make the play-in tournament, and Porzingis would be a significant part of that push along with Kyle Kuzma. Porzingis will presumably be limited in his first game back in nearly a month, and it's also possible he comes off the bench. Eventually, he'll likely move into a 30-minute starting role, where he figures to get the nod at center or power forward. Since the Wizards have fewer offensive options than the Mavericks, Porzingis could be the No. 1 option, though Kuzma still figures to handle plenty of usage. Ultimately, fantasy managers who have held onto Porzingis through the injury could be rewarded handsomely if coach Wes Unseld Jr. does make a point of running things through Porzingis.
MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kristaps Porzingis - Could debut Sunday Porzingis (knee) was a full participant in Saturday's practice session, and he could make his team debut Sunday against Indiana, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact The Wizards held a light practice Saturday, but it was encouraging to see Porzingis participate without any limitations. While coach Wes Unseld said Thursday that Porzingis didn't yet have a timetable for his return, the Wizards' skipper said after Saturday's practice that there's an increased chance for the 26-year-old to make his team debut Sunday. If he's able to suit up against the Pacers, he'll likely face a minutes restriction since he hasn't seen any game action in over a month.
MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Game Preview: Pacers at Wizards ' Indiana Pacers Matchup
MARCH 5, 2022 • NBA.COM
Rui Hachimura - Prolific scorer off bench Hachimura closed Friday's 117-114 loss to the Hawks with 19 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 26 minutes.
Impact Hachimura continued to play a bench role Friday, but he scored in double figures for the fourth time in the last five games during the narrow loss. Across his last nine appearances, he's scored in double figures in each of his outings in which he's played at least 20 minutes. During that time, he's averaged 12.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.
MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Kuzma - Posts double-double vs. Atlanta Kuzma had 22 points (9-21 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, 11 assists and two blocks in 35 minutes during Friday's 117-114 loss to the Hawks.
Impact Kuzma wasn't particularly efficient from the floor Friday, and he failed to convert any of his six attempts from beyond the arc during the narrow loss. However, he continued to have plenty of shot volume and was able to top 20 points for the seventh time in the last eight games while also dishing out a season-high 11 assists. Across his last eight appearances, Kuzma has averaged 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 36.9 minutes per game.
MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Season-high scoring total in loss Caldwell-Pope finished Friday's 117-114 loss to the Hawks with 28 points (10-12 FG, 6-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes.
Impact Caldwell-Pope had plenty of success from the floor during Friday's narrow loss, as he converted 83.3 percent of his field-goal attempts while draining each of his six attempts from beyond the arc. While he's shown some signs of inconsistency this season, he's now topped 20 points in three of his last six appearances. Across that span, he's averaged 19.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 32.8 minutes per game.
MARCH 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kuzma, Wizards host the Pacers
MARCH 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
הפסד במשחק מפתח ביתי ' Washington Wizards פערים משמעותיים בעבירות ואיבודי כדור הכריעו את הוויזארדס מול ההוקס. 9 נקודות לאבדיה
MARCH 5, 2022 • NBA.COM
Final 0:45 WILD ENDING Hawks vs Wizards 🔥🔥
MARCH 5, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Hunter, Young help Hawks hold off Wizards 117-114
De’Andre Hunter scored 26 points and Trae Young added 25 to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 117-114 on Friday nightMARCH 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vernon Carey Jr. - Officially out Friday Carey (hip) is out Friday against Atlanta.
Impact Carey was doubtful ahead of Friday's matchup and will officially be out for a second consecutive game. His next chance to suit up will be Sunday against Indiana.
MARCH 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Porzingis Offers Unique Apology For 'Blowing' Layup, Costing Bettor $76K Kristaps Porzingis turned a bad beat into good karma
MARCH 4, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Young, Hawks set for matchup with the Wizards
MARCH 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bradley Beal, recovering from season-ending wrist surgery, says he's inclined to re-sign with the Wizards Bradley Beal says he's leaning toward re-signing with the Washington Wizards this summer.
MARCH 4, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Bradley Beal says he's leaning toward re-signing with the Wizards The shooting guard is eligible for a five-year deal worth roughly $245 million this summer if he declines his 2022-23 player option.
MARCH 3, 2022 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Deni Avdija - Off injury report Avdija (quadriceps) is not on the injury report for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Impact Avdija played just nine minutes before suffering a quad injury Tuesday against the Pistons, but he's good to go for Friday. He's coming off a solid month of February where he averaged 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes.
MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Vernon Carey Jr. - Doubtful Friday Carey (hip) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Impact Carey was unavailable for Tuesday's game against the Pistons due to a bruised right hip, and he'll sit out again Friday. The 21-year-old has played only 13 NBA minutes all season, so his absence won't affect Washington's rotation versus Atlanta.
MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Bradley Beal leaning towards re-signing with Wizards this summer: What's the potential impact for Celtics offseason? Beal is eligible to sign a five-year deal with Washington for over $200 million after the season ends.
MARCH 3, 2022 • MASSLIVE.COM
Kristaps Porzingis - Remains without timetable Coach Wes Unseld said Thursday that Porzingis (knee) remains without a timetable to return, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Impact Porzingis progressed to 5-on-5 drills in practice Thursday, but Unseld reiterated afterward that he isn't yet sure when the 26-year-old will be able to return. While his recent on-court progression has been encouraging, it seems unlikely that he'll be available Friday against Atlanta. Daniel Gafford and Thomas Bryant should continue to see increased usage while Porzingis is sidelined.
MARCH 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Kuzma - Business as usual Kuzma registered 21 points (7-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 116-113 win over the Pistons.
Impact Kuzma scored 20-plus points for the sixth time over his last seven games and fell one rebound shy of his third double-double during that stretch. Since the beginning of February (12 games), the fifth-year forward has averaged 21.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 blocks in 34.9 minutes per contest. He's solidified himself as the go-to option in Washington since the trade of Bradley Beal, though Kristaps Porzingis (knee) could compete for that title when he's finally cleared for action.
MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Ish Smith - Dishes out team-high eight assists Smith finished Tuesday's 116-113 win over the Pistons with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds and eight assists across 23 minutes.
Impact Smith scored in double figures for the fourth time over his last five games and dished out a team-high eight assists, tying his season high. Over his last eight appearances, the point guard has averaged 9.7 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game. Smith has a stronghold on the top backup guard spot right now, but recently acquired Tomas Satoransky, who made his Wizards debut Tuesday, figures to compete for some of those minutes moving forward.
MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Tomas Satoransky - Plays 14 minutes in debut Satoransky chipped in four points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 14 minutes during Tuesday's 116-113 win over the Pistons.
Impact Satoransky was the second guard off the bench during his Wizards debut. As of now, it appears his role will be limited, but he may get increased looks moving forward if Deni Avdija, who sprained his ankle Tuesday, is sidelined for an extended period. Either way, the veteran point guard is unlikely to crack fantasy relevancy.
MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Thomas Bryant - Season-high 16 points off bench Bryant finished with 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 22 minutes during Tuesday's 116-113 victory over Detroit.
Impact Bryant was efficient from the field en route to a season-high 16 points off the bench. The fifth-year center has struggled to find any consistency after being sidelined for the first two-plus months of the season due to the ACL surgery he underwent last year. Bryant is firmly supplated behind Daniel Gafford on the depth chart, and his playing time may take another hit when Kristaps Porzingis (knee) returns, though it's unclear when that may be.
MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
