Brian Keefe on Trae Young's injury, emergence of Bilal Coulibaly

The Washington Wizards as they are set to return to action tonight when they take on the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons for a 7 PM tipoff. But they will do so with another key piece out with Trae Young inactive again.

Trae Young left Monday's loss midway through the third quarter after suffering an apparent leg injury, and with Washington election to stay patient with the recovery process, the Wizards guard was among several players ruled out. Washington will also be without Bilal Coulibaly, who is suffering from a right retrocalcaneal bursitis, while both Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George still sidelined. But with Young's newest injury fresh, whether he ends up returning is a question mark after head coach Brian Keefe told `106.7 that it was Young who requested to leave the game.

"I can't go by instinct. I just listen to our professionals who are way more knowledge than I am. But Trae did ask to come out of the game, and that always - you're concerned when you see things like that," Keefe noted.

As for the Wizards' other recent trade acquisition, Keefe also noted that an update from the team on the recovery process of Anthony Davis could be released this week.

"He's doing some light, non contact, individual work. We'll have an update here, more here I think later in the week. The expectations for the team never have changed. Obviously, we're focused on development. That hasn't changed since I've been here. Guys will be given some opportunities. But can we continue to stack habits and build the way we want to build and finish out the year right?"

While he is among the inactives tonight, the emergence of guard/wing Bilal Coulibaly has been a late storyline for the Wizards after another encouraging showing on Monday night.

Coulibaly posted 21 points in 33 minutes in Monday's loss against Golden State, the third time this month he has eclipsed 20 points. But it also marked the second time that Coulibaly shot 70% from the field, while he's made nine of his last 18 threes over the last three games. While his season high 29 points, highlighted by his game-tying three with seconds left in regulation against Orlando, proved to give the Wizards life in the eventual overtime.

All of a sudden, Coulibaly is flashing as an extension candidate with just 15 games left until the offseason arrives for general manager Will Dawkins.

"We're putting the ball his hands a lot. He's making great decisions being able to get to the rim. The shooting is continued to improve. I think this is a great opportunity for me taking advantage of these of this time," Dawkins said of Coulibaly. "You've got to remember he didn't finish the last couple years because of some of the injuries."