Category: Washington Wizards Blog

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Wizards to honor John Wall at home game on January 29

The Washington Wizards will celebrate five-time NBA All-Star John Wall on Thursday, Jan. 29, when the team hosts the Milwaukee Bucks in a game scheduled to be televised on Amazon Prime Video at 7:00 pm. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a John Wall bobblehead.

Selected with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall led the Wizards to three playoff appearances. He is the franchise leader in total assists (5282) and steals (976), and was named to the 2010-11 All-Rookie First Team, 2014-15 All-Defensive Second Team, and 2016-17 All-NBA Third Team. Wall retired in August 2025 and immediately joined the broadcasting ranks, including a role as studio analyst for Monumental Sports Network’s Wizards coverage.

Wall’s celebration will tip off on Tuesday, Jan. 27, when 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.”

Wizards notes after 120-112 win over Magic

The Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic, 120-112, on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. Washington has now won five of its last seven games overall and four of their last six contests at home.

With the win, Washington snapped an 11-game losing skid to Orlando, picking up their first win over the Magic since Jan. 21, 2023, and ending their longest losing streak to Orlando in series history.

Washington recorded 12 steals, its seventh game this season with at least 10+ steals, now doing so in two in the last three games. The Wizards are now 4-3 in games with 10+ steals as a team.

Washington connected at a .939 clip (31-33) from the free-throw line.

The Wizards’ 31 made free throws mark a season high.

The Wizards set a season-high in points off turnover with 29 (previously 28, Jan. 2 vs. Brooklyn).

Washington had six players top double figures

Washington guard CJ McCollum finished with 27 points (11-19 FG, 3-7 3PT) and added six rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes of action.

McCollum tallied his third 20/5/5 (pts/rebs/asts) game of the season, last doing so on Dec. 20 at Memphis.

McCollum has now scored 20+ points in 14 total games this season, now doing so in back-to-back outings.

Wizards forward/center Alex Sarr scored 23 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3PT, 7-7 FT) and collected eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal in 31 minutes of action.

Sarr collected his fourth game this season with at least 20+ points and 4+ blocks, now doing so for the third time in his last six games.

Sarr’s four games with 20+ points and 4+ blocks ranks second in the NBA behind only Victor Wembanyama (5 games).

Sarr has now topped 20+ points in 10 games this season, which ties his total from his rookie year (2024-25).

Sarr has now topped 10+ points in 22 of 26 outings this season.

Wizards to host Fan Appreciation Night on April 9

The Washington Wizards will celebrate and show their appreciation to their loyal, dedicated, and passionate fanbase on Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. when the Philadelphia 76ers come to Capital One Arena.

To celebrate the night, hip-hop duo Ying Yang Twins will entertain the crowd at halftime with hits “Salt Shaker,” “Get Low,” “Say I Yi Yi,” and “Halftime.” The Wizards Entertainers and G-Wiz will also be featured throughout the performance.

Prior to the game, fans can attend the Fan Appreciation Night Block Party at District E Powered by Ticketmaster beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans will enjoy giveaways, a virtual reality activation, custom trading card photobooth, free appetizers while supplies last, and District Bites drink specials.

All fans in attendance at the game will take home a Wizards City Edition DMV t-shirt (photo attached). Bilal Coulibaly will address the crowd before the start of the game and the team will present the 2024-25 Dr. E.B. Henderson Award during a pregame ceremony. The team award, introduced during the 2021-22 season, recognizes a Wizards player for their work in the community.

Wizards add JT Thor to roster off waivers

The Washington Wizards a few days ago claimed forward JT Thor off waivers. Thor comes to Washington on a two-way contract.

Thor (6-9, 215) is in his fourth NBA season out of Auburn, having appeared in 174 career games with the Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Thor was originally selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and holds career averages of 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Thor has also appeared in 46 career games in the NBA G League with the Greensboro Swarm and Cleveland Charge, averaging 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. In 24 games with the Charge this season, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.

Wizards sign Justin Champagnie to multi-year contract

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Justin Champagnie to a multi-year NBA contract.

In a related move, Washington released forward Jalen McDaniels from his 10-day contract.

Champagnie, who signed a two-way contract with Washington on Mar. 3, 2024, has averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in 55 appearances over his two seasons with the Wizards. In 40 games (15 starts) this season, Champagnie has already set career highs in games and starts, while also currently averaging career highs in points (7.5), rebounds (4.6), field goal percentage (.504), and three-point percentage (.376).

Champagnie also appeared in eight games for the Capital City Go-Go this season, averaging 20.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He was selected to participate in the G League Up Next Game as part of the NBA’s All-Star weekend in February, scoring five points in six minutes of action.

Wizards sign Jalen McDaniels to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a 10-day contract.

In a related move, Washington released guard Erik Stevenson from his 10-day contract.

McDaniels (6-9, 190) is a 27-year-old forward in his sixth NBA season. He has appeared in 248 regular season NBA games for the Toronto Raptors (2023-24), Philadelphia 76ers (2023), and Charlotte Hornets (2019-23), recording career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.

A native of Seattle, McDaniels spent two seasons at San Diego State (2017-19) before being drafted in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

In 26 games (all starts) for the Capital City Go-Go this season, McDaniels is averaging 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He has notched three double-doubles and has scored 10+ points in 17 games this season, while leading the Go-Go in rebounds per game (min. 10 games).

Wizards sign Erik Stevenson to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed guard Erik Stevenson to a 10-day contract.

In a related move, Washington released guard Jaylen Nowell from his 10-day contract.

Stevenson (6-4, 205) is a 25-year-old guard in his second professional season out of West Virginia. He took part in training camp with San Antonio in 2023 and Washington in 2024, before playing with each team’s NBA G League team. Stevenson also played in three games for Washington during 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

In 32 games this season, Stevenson is averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game with the Capital City Go-Go. He currently ranks third in points per game off the bench for the full NBA G League season (min. 10 games) and has scored 20+ points 15 times. He was selected to the G League Up Next game on Feb. 7.

Wizards sign Jaylen Martin to two-way contract

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jaylen Martin to a two-way contract.

Martin (6-6, 216) is a 21-year-old forward in his second season out of Overtime Elite. He was previously on a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets this season, appearing in three games for Brooklyn and 12 games for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate. Martin has also played 10 games for the Delaware Blue Coats, and in his 22 total NBA G League appearances this season, is averaging 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

The Tallahassee, Fla. native also played in 28 NBA G League games last season with Long Island and the Westchester Knicks, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.

Four-team trade sends Khris Middleton to Wizards, Kyle Kuzma to Bucks

The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired forward Khris Middleton, guard Akeem Jamaal (AJ) Johnson, the right to swap a 2028 first-round pick, and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for forward Kyle Kuzma and a 2025 second-round pick. As part of a four-team trade, the Wizards also acquired the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks and dealt Patrick Baldwin Jr. to San Antonio.

“We look forward to welcoming Khris and AJ to Washington” stated General Manager Will Dawkins. “Khris is a championship-caliber player whose professionalism will help our organization in multiple ways. AJ’s addition to our roster provides us another young, athletic, and versatile guard.”

Middleton (6-7, 222) was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft (39th overall) before being traded to Milwaukee in 2013. A three-time All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022), he was also a member of Team USA that captured gold during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 762 career games (657 starts) across 13 seasons with Detroit and Milwaukee, Middleton holds career averages of 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He has made nine playoff appearances (80 games) and started every game during Milwaukee’s playoff run to the 2021 NBA Championship. In the postseason, Middleton has averaged 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Johnson (6-5, 170) was selected by the Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft (23rd overall). He is currently averaging 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in seven games with Milwaukee this season. Johnson has also appeared in 25 games (Tip-Off Tournament + Regular Season) for the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 28.6 minutes per game. He joins Alex Sarr (second), Bub Carrington (14th), and Kyshawn George (24th) as the fourth player from the 2024 NBA Draft to be added to Washington’s roster.

In three-and-a-half seasons with Washington, Kuzma appeared in 232 games (230 starts) averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. In 32 appearances for the Wizards this season, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Kuzma was originally acquired by Washington in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 2021-2022 season.

“We want to thank Kyle for his contributions during his time with our team,” said Dawkins. “His impact on and off the court was felt by teammates, coaches, and fans alike. His dedication to giving back to the DMV community will leave a lasting impact. We wish him and Patrick success in the next chapter of their careers.”

Baldwin Jr. was traded to Washington prior to the start of the 2023-24 season and appeared in 60 games, averaging 3.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.