Category: Washington Wizards Blog

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The latest on the Wizards (record: 12-21)

Via the Washington Post:

The low tone in Rui Hachimura’s voice gave a hint of what the last month has been like for the 2019 No. 9 overall pick. He had just played his first game in 34 days after a bone bruise in his ankle took much longer to heal than originally anticipated, and during that span all Hachimura could do was watch helplessly as the team lost 10 straight and other teammates went in and out of the lineup with a variety of ailments.

The Wizards (12-21) won just three of 16 games with Hachimura out.

“I was just on the sideline watching my teammates losing the game,” Hachiumra said before hustling to the bus after a 120-112 loss to the Jazz. “So, you know, it was tough for me.”

Hachimura was no savior Thursday night and certainly isn’t expected to be, but his return brought some optimism the team is getting healthier. That optimism was tempered by the fact that Kristaps Porzingis (non-covid illness) missed his second straight game and Deni Avdija was held out after tweaking his back during the morning’s shoot-around. But help seems to be on the way.

Bradley Beal returns, but Wizards lose 10th straight game

The good news is, Bradley Beal is back in action for the Washington Wizards. The bad news is, his return couldn’t prevent the team from losing their 10th game in a row. Via the Washington Post:

Sunday’s game ended with drama appropriate of a Hollywood script, but the Lakers emerged as the heroes. They prevailed, 119-117, to hand Washington its 10th straight loss, making it 41 days since the Wizards have won on the road.

A back-and-forth thriller in the fourth quarter came down to one scrambled possession.

James had the ball just inside the half-court line when Deni Avdija and Kuzma trapped him in a double team, forcing a turnover out of James that he ended up sending off Kuzma’s leg. A scramble for the ball ended up with James recovering and getting the ball to former Wizard Thomas Bryant for a smooth, go-ahead dunk with less than eight seconds to play. Kuzma missed a desperation three-pointer on the other end to end it.

“I felt like they were not at our level,” a visibly agitated Kristaps Porzingis said, trying to find his words. “We just lost the game. Obviously LeBron did his thing and played well, but — some mental mistakes from us. I don’t know what to say. It’s tough, it’s tough, it’s tough. But, yeah, we’re going to get out of it.

“If [Kuzma’s three-pointer] went in, it would have been a completely different movie. Nobody wants to be in this position, but we’re going to have to find a way out, to dig our way out of this.”

The Wizards are 11-20 this season, which ties them with the Orlando Magic for the 12th best record in the Eastern conference.

Injury update on Wizards forward Rui Hachimura

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, who has missed the last four games with right ankle soreness, received an MRI examination yesterday that revealed a bone bruise. He will be listed as out for Wednesday’s game at Brooklyn and his status beyond Wednesday will be determined by his clinical evolution.

Hachimura originally injured his ankle on Nov. 20 in the Wizards’ game vs. Charlotte.

Wizards sign Devon Dotson, and waive Jordan Schakel

The Washington Wizards have signed guard Devon Dotson to a two-way contract.

And in a related move, Washington waived forward Jordan Schakel, who appeared in six games with the team after being signed to a two-way contract in March 2022.

Dotson, a 6-1, 185-pound guard from Kansas, has played in seven games this season with the Capital City Go-Go, averaging 12.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. On November 15, Dotson recorded the third triple-double in Capital City history, scoring 17 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Dotson spent 2022 Summer League, preseason and training camp with Washington after spending his first two seasons in the league with Chicago. The Charlotte, N.C. native appeared in 22 total games, averaging 2.4 points per game with the Bulls.

Wizards 2022 ‘Throwback Night’ will include Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison

The Washington Wizards will reunite the “Big Three” of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to celebrate “Throwback Night” in recognition of the team’s 25th anniversary since rebranding to the Wizards. The game will take place on Friday, November 18, when the Miami Heat come to Capital One Arena. Tipoff will be at 7:00 p.m.

As part of “Throwback Night,” the team will recognize Arenas, Butler and Jamison in a halftime celebration for their contributions to the franchise. The trio played together from 2005-06 to 2009-10 and led Washington to three consecutive playoff appearances (2006-2008).

“Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wizards brand wouldn’t be complete without honoring the contributions of ‘The Big Three’ and having them all together on the same night makes it even more special,” said Wizards President & General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “Gilbert, Caron and Antawn represent a definitive era for the franchise and they deserve to be recognized for the excitement they generated on the court and the impact they had in our community, both of which led to a new generation of Wizards fans.”

The trio recently recorded an interview with Wizards legend and former broadcaster Phil Chenier, which will be featured during pre and postgame coverage of Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers on NBC Sports Washington (the pregame show will begin at 7:00 with the game set to tip off at 7:30).

The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a hat designed by Antawn Jamison.

Following the game, those in attendance can enjoy a postgame concert with R&B artist and producer Teddy Riley. He will be joined by Dave Hollister and Joe. They will entertain fans with classics such as “Stutter,” “I Wanna Know,” “One Woman Man” and “Don’t Leave Me.”

Wizards convert Jordan Goodwin’s contract, waive Devon Dotson, Quenton Jackson, Craig Sword and Jaime Echenique

The Washington Wizards have converted guard Jordan Goodwin to a two-way contract, while waiving Devon Dotson, Quenton Jackson, Craig Sword and Jaime Echenique – who was signed earlier today – to set the roster at 17.

Goodwin played in 46 games for the Capital City Go-Go last season, averaging 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The Saint Louis product earned a call-up with the Wizards in December, appearing in two games. Goodwin led the Go-Go in scoring and set the franchise mark with 94 steals on the season, good for the fourth-most in the NBA G League.