The Washington Wizards return to action on Friday night in the first matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans this season
Washington Wizards (10-26) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8-31)
When: Friday, Jan. 9 | 7 PM
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
TV: Monumental Sports Network
Betting: Washington +2.5 | O/U: 241.5
The Washington Wizards are back in action on Friday night as they are set to host the New Orleans Pelicans for a 7 PM tipoff.
Zion Williamson enters the matchup as one of two Pelicans averaging over 20 points per game alongside Trey Murphy, who is ruled questionable ahead of tipoff due to low back spasms.
The Pelicans also ruled out Herb Jones (right ankle sprain), Jose Alvarado (left oblique soreness), Saddiq Bey (right hip flexor strain), Hunter Dickinson (G-league two-way) and Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture) for Friday's contest vs. Washington.
Washington, meanwhile, will return Kyshawn George on Friday night in his first appearance since Dec. 26 against Toronto after missing the last seven games due to injury.
It's not often that Washington faces a team with a worse record, but Friday will mark exactly that with the Pelicans losing nine consecutive games following a five-game win streak. While the team is one of three across the league to have yet to reach ten wins this season, the New Orleans Pelicans are just 6-21 since Willie Green was relieved of his duties as head coach.
Friday marks the first of two meetings against the Pelicans with a return date set for March 8, while it also marks the return of Jordan Poole. The Michigan product spent two seasons with the Wizards before being traded to New Orleans in a deal that sent CJ McCollum, Cam Whitmore and Kelly Olynyk along with a future second round pick to Washington.
But with McCollum no longer with the organization, Friday will also mark a marquee day in the franchise and, more importantly, during the Will Dawkins and Brian Keefe era with an introductory press conference set ahead of tipoff.
After announcing a finalized trade in the morning, Dawkins and new Wizards point guard Trae Young will host their first press conference beginning at 6 PM on Friday.
“We are excited to welcome Trae Young to the Washington Wizards,” said General Manager Will Dawkins via release. “It is a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Trae’s skill, accomplishments, and age. Trae plays an exciting brand of basketball and brings a level of confidence and competitiveness that has set him apart in this league.”
Washington dealt veteran guard CJ McCollum and wing Corey Kispert, who recently returned to the court, in exchange for Trae Young with no draft capital involved in the transaction.
Ironically enough, the Hawks defeated the Pelicans on Wednesday night in a game that saw Trae Young traded mid-game only to travel to DC to take on the Wizards one hour after Trae Young is introduced by the organization.
Friday marks Washington's fourth home game in 2026 and final inside the Capital One Arena before the Wizards hit the road for a four-game West Coast roadtrip starting Sunday against Phoenix.