The Washington Wizards will get a key piece back on Friday night in Kyshawn George, more on the Wizards' plan with Trae Young and a celebration on the way for John Wall
Friday's injury report vs. New Orleans...for the first time since Dec. 26, the Washington Wizards will have a key piece back in the rotation. Kyshawn George is off the injury report and will be available for Friday's game vs. New Orleans. George has been inactive as the team ruled him out due to a hip flexor strain, while head coach Brian Keefe said earlier in the week there was no timetable for his return.
In his first game since being traded, Trae Young is ruled out alongside Cam Whitmore, who has remained inactive since Dec. 4 due to a deep vein thrombosis.
Trae Young plan...after news that Trae Young is the newest Wizard, the question now points to what his timeline to return to court looks like. But that may not materialize into much this season.
"The plan is for him to rehab the ankle in-house, a league source said, but with no rush to bring him back," Josh Rabbins of The Athletic wrote. "The Wizards’ desire isn’t for Young to help them this season. It’s to contribute starting in 2026, assuming he’s still around, which is the most likely scenario."
It's not a massive surprise for the Wizards, whose first round pick is top-eight protected and despite the recent string of success, Washington will do what is necessary to retain that pick in what's expected to be a deep draft class in the 2026 NBA Draft.
John Wall Bobblehead night...following Friday's home game against the Pelicans, the Wizards will hit the road for a four-game road trip before returning to Capital One Arena in late January for a five-game home stand. In the middle of that home stand will mark a special night for the fanbase after the organization announced a celebration for fans.
The team announced it will host a celebration for John Wall's career for the Jan. 29 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will also receive a John Wall bobblehead, while fans are encouraged to submit congratulatory message or their favorite John Wall memory to be featured (link here).
Wall became the face of the franchise and one of the prominent faces of DC sports during his tenure with the organization after becoming the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Wall remains the franchise lead in total assists (5,282) and steals (976) while drawing multiple accolades along the way, including an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2014-15.
Per release, fans will have a chance to visit the “Wall of Fame” pop-up store located by section 118 in the Overtime Shop at Capital One Arena. T-shirts, jerseys and other merchandise celebrating Wall will be available for purchase. The scorer’s table from Wall’s iconic game-winning shot against the Boston Celtics during the 2016 playoffs will be on display on the concourse.
“From the moment John Wall joined our organization, he set the standard for what it means to represent the Wizards franchise—with integrity, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates, our fans, and the District," said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. "John's impact extends far beyond the stat sheet. He embraced D.C. as his home and gave back to the city with deep pride and purpose. Within our organization, he helped elevate everyone around him and left a lasting mark that will be felt for generations. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions and proud to celebrate an extraordinary career.”