Washington Wizards ahead Bilal Coulibaly has been cleared to make his 2025-26 season debut. Wizards head coach Brian Keefe mentioned Wednesday that Coulibaly can be accessible for Thursday’s street sport towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Bilal Coulibaly Getting into Third NBA Season
Coulibaly was instantly traded by the Indiana Pacers after he was chosen seventh total within the 2023 NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 wing has spent the previous two seasons of his professional profession with the Wizards.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Coulibaly underwent surgical procedure final month to restore a torn ligament in his proper thumb. He suffered that damage whereas taking part in for the French nationwide staff at EuroBasket and missed your entire preseason, along with the primary 4 video games of the common season.
Bilal Coulibaly speaks to media forward of his season debut:
– seems like he’s in nice form– labored quite a bit on his left hand– says the staff may put extra stress on ballhandlers, which he can present
Additionally mentioned he’ll put on the wrap on his hand for a great a part of the season. https://t.co/hIRXUkMFoI pic.twitter.com/A0dvB2fjRv
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) October 29, 2025
Coulibaly was a full-time starter for the Wizards final season, averaging profession highs of 12.3 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 33 minutes per contest in 59 video games.
By 4 video games of the common season, Washington has been utilizing a beginning 5 of Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr.
It’s unclear whether or not Keefe plans to maneuver Coulibaly into the beginning lineup. The 21-year-old may doubtlessly come off the bench like he did throughout his rookie 2023-24 season.
Wizards May Transfer Coulibaly To Second Unit
Based mostly on how nicely George is taking part in proper now, Coulibaly would possibly begin his third season as a reserve.
As a full-time starter, George is averaging profession highs of 20.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 33 minutes whereas capturing profession bests of 53.7% from the sector and 53.8% from 3-point vary.
Per Spotrac, Coulibaly is one in all six Washington gamers signed to contracts that embrace a rookie-scale staff choice for 2026-27. The Wizards have till Friday’s deadline to make selections on these choices.
Wizards ahead Kyshawn George has set a brand new career-high with 26 factors in tonight’s sport versus Dallas (beforehand 24, Jan. 16, 2025 vs. Phoenix).#ForTheDistrict
— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) October 25, 2025
Washington is 1-3 after 4 video games to start out the 2205-26 season.
Final season, the Wizards began 2-2 earlier than happening a 16-game shedding streak. They went on to complete 18-64 and fifteenth within the Japanese Convention standings.
Brian Keefe, who served because the interim head coach the earlier season following the firing of Wes Unseld Jr., was named the twenty sixth head coach in Wizards franchise historical past in Might 2024.
