With the Washington Wizards set to take the floor on Wednesday night for a 10:30 PM tipoff against the Los Angeles Clippers
The perfect streak is over for the Washington Wizards in Summer League, but they are set to take the court looking to get back in the win column on Wednesday night. While results matter like Tre Johnson noted, it also marks a game that features an intriguing matchup for the Wizards to answer.
With the top four picks largely set in stone ever since the draft order was finalized, former Illinois point guard Keaton Wagler became the fifth overall pick in last month's draft to complete a year-long ascension that began after arriving in Champaign, Illinois as a three-star recruit. The long, 6-foot-6 point guard is averaging 15.3 points, three rebounds and three assists through three Summer League appearances, highlighted by a 23 point performance to beat Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz, 104-82, on Sunday night.
Washington, meanwhile, enters the slate with four prominent pieces out after announcing AJ Dybantsa, Will Riley and Tre Johnson will be sidelined for the remainder of Summer League while Jamir Watkins suffered and played through a minor knee injury in game one against Utah. That's notable for the next matchup.
For a team that is making defense the theme of the offseason on the court, Washington has a chance to answer the call on Wednesday night against Wagner. For an undrafted guard in Seth Trimble and former NBA guard in Reece Beekman, who spent last season with the Orlando Magic's G League affiliate, they have a chance to move the needle.
Beekman may have finished with only one steal in 23 minutes in game one, but the University of Virginia product was still a spark on the defensive end of the floor where he can carve out a role. The good news is the production has followed after totaling three steals against both the Bulls and Kings in each game, while also going 3-of-4 from three against Sacramento, giving the front office a chance to evaluate the 6-foot-3 guard as a possible candidate for the 15th roster spot.
Trimble has struggled on the offensive end while shooting under 33% from the field, but similar to Beekman, the North Carolina product has also emerged as another strong on-ball defender with a pair of steals and additional turnovers forced in each of his last two games. With a chance to anchor the Capital City Go-Go under new head coach Tevon Saddler, Wednesday marks a chance for Trimble to move the needle.
With Beekman and Trimble eyeing a chance to stick in Washington, tipoff is set for 10:30 PM on ESPN as the Wizards and head coach T.J. Sorrentine look to get back in the win column.
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