The Washington Wizards enter Monday night's meeting against the Houston Rockets with a four-game losing streak
Houston Rockets (37-22) vs. Washington Wizards (16-43)
When: Monday, March 2, 7 PM EST
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network
The Washington Wizards will return to action on Monday night on a four-game losing streak including losses in seven of the last nine games.
Monday marks the second and final meeting against the Houston Rockets after falling 135-112 on the road back on Nov. 12 when Alex Sarr finished with a double-double in 25 points and 11 rebounds. But Monday will also mark the return of DMV native Kevin Durant, giving added incentive to a packed house inside Capital One Arena.
Houston is coming off a ten-point loss at Miami on Saturday that snapped a three-game losing streak as the gap widens between the Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the Western Conference. Houston enters Monday tied with Minnesota for third in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Denver Nuggets and two games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers. Add in a shorthanded Wizards squad, Monday could prove a test to see whether Washington can be competitive against one of the league's best.
Julian Reese, who signed with the organization on a two-way deal over the weekend, is not expected to be available for Monday's contest though could make his Wizards debut on Tuesday.
The Wizards will be without the usual bunch with Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Cam Whitmore and Trae Young all ruled out once again. Leaky Black, one of three players signed to a two-way deal, is also ruled out with a left ankle sprain. D'Angelo Russell was previously reported by Brett Siegel of Clutch Points as a possible candidate to now re-join the team after general manager Will Dawkins noted the team was evaluating its options with the veteran guard. But he won't be available once again with the same 'Not With Team' designation.
Kyshawn George, Anthony Gill and Tristan Vukcevic are all ruled questionable ahead of tipoff. Head coach Brian Keefe noted ahead of Saturday's 134-125 loss against the Toronto Raptors that that George and Vukcevic, along with Tre Johnson, were all on a minute restrictions with a question whether that remains the case for Monday's contest.
Monday will also give another chance for Will Riley to showcase signs of optimism in what has been an encouraging showing in 2026 after posting 18 points in two of his last three games. Riley ended February as the fourth-highest scoring rookie in the NBA behind Cooper Flagg, Don Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe after averaging 14.6 points on 47% shooting from the field.
The Rockets will also be shorthanded with Steven Adams, Tristen Newton, Jabari Smith Jr., Jae'Sean Tate and Fred VanVleet all still inactive.