Saturday in Oklahoma City was the low point: a 114-75 loss, the fewest points any NBA team has scored this season and the third straight defeat. Now the 4-6 Wizards get a rested crack at a 6-3 Detroit team that is on the second night of a back-to-back, missing Jalen Duren, and has dropped two straight at home. Anthony Davis is questionable with the right ankle sprain, and Bilal Coulibaly was added as questionable this afternoon (left hand soreness).
Let’s get it over with. On the second night of a back-to-back and without Anthony Davis, Washington shot 29-of-98 (29.6%) and 7-of-43 from three, and Oklahoma City led 57-36 at the half and 90-59 after three (AP recap via ESPN). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 in three quarters. The 75 points were the lowest total by any NBA team this season and, per Greg Finberg, the Wizards’ lowest since January 2018 (post).
AJ Dybantsa led Washington with 19 points on 7-of-15, and Alex Sarr put up 15 points and 14 rebounds (ESPN box score). That was about it: Trae Young, playing near his old high school and college stomping grounds, was held to one field goal and four points.
Brian Keefe said Deandre Ayton got hit in the calf in the first half, which is why he didn’t return (Josh Robbins); Ayton isn’t on tonight’s injury report (Finberg). Finberg’s postgame pod: “That’s a player issue. But it’s more so a coaching issue” (post).
Detroit is 6-3 but lost to the Lakers 121-116 on Sunday night, after trailing by 26 in the second quarter, as Austin Reaves scored 43 (AP via ESPN). Daniss Jenkins hit 8-of-15 threes for 31 and Kevin Huerter added 24; Cade Cunningham (22.9 ppg, 7.7 apg) had 14 on 6-of-15 (box score). Jalen Duren (hamstring) and Isaiah Joe (hip) are listed out (ESPN).
Finberg’s numbers: Washington’s offensive rating is 114.7 with one big on the floor and 104.0 with two (post). Bijan Todd adds that the Wizards make 30.2% of their threes and 29.1% of their “wide open” ones, both 28th in the league (post). With Davis questionable and Ayton banged up, tonight may force the one-big look anyway.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAS | Anthony Davis | QUESTIONABLE | Right ankle sprain — missed the last two games |
| WAS | Bilal Coulibaly | QUESTIONABLE | Left hand soreness — added this afternoon |
| WAS | Reece Beekman | OUT | Right AC joint |
| WAS | Justin Champagnie | OUT | Right foot surgery |
| WAS | Tristan Vukčević | OUT | Left hip impingement |
| WAS | Jamir Watkins | OUT | Left ACL repair (season) |
| DET | Jalen Duren | OUT | Hamstring strain |
| DET | Isaiah Joe | OUT | Hip bruise |
The Pistons played Sunday night and lost a draining comeback try; the Wizards had Sunday off. Push the pace early and make tired legs defend in transition.
Detroit is missing its starting center, and Ausar Thompson leads them at 8.9 rebounds (ESPN). Rebounding has been Washington’s season-long leak; this is the night to flip it, with Sarr coming off 14 boards.
7-of-43 can’t happen twice. Fewer two-big minutes and more shooters around Trae, per the numbers above.
Jenkins and Huerter combined for 12 threes Sunday (box score). Cade will get his; the role players can’t also get free.
Sarr’s moment. With Duren out and Davis and Coulibaly iffy, Sarr is the biggest presence on the floor. If he controls the paint and the boards, the Wizards can hang.
Detroit’s engine. Cunningham leads the Pistons in points and assists (ESPN), and he’s coming off a quiet 14 on Sunday. Expect a bounce-back attempt.
Bilal Coulibaly (left hand soreness) is now questionable for tonight’s game vs. Detroit, per the Wizards’ injury report.
Alex Sarr's 3-point rate has jumped from 22% to 38.6%. He's shooting just 20% 3PT. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is thriving at PF.
A look at the Wizards’ offensive rating with just one big man on the floor compared to the double-big lineups through 10 games.
I wrote about this last week, but the OKC loss further exposed how bad the Wizards' offense is. 37% of their shots are threes, they make 30.2% of them, and hit only 29.1% of their 'wide open' threes -- all 28th in the NBA. The double-big lineup has caused huge spacing issues.
One of the NBA's most interesting teams has completed 10 games — too early to make definitive conclusions but enough time for first impressions. What should we make of the Washington Wizards' performance so far? Story in @TheAthleticNBA.
Next stop: Motor City 🚗
Anthony Davis (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE for Monday’s game vs. Detroit, per the Wizards’ injury report. Deandre Ayton (calf) is not listed on the injury report.
📻 106.7 The Fan hadn’t posted about the Wizards since Saturday’s game when we checked (~10:15 AM ET); its latest posts were Commanders talk after Sunday’s loss to the Rams. We’ll swap in fresh Fan coverage at the 4 PM refresh if it’s there.
Detroit is the better team, but it’s playing its second game in two nights without its starting center, and the line has already slid a point toward Washington. The Wizards can’t possibly shoot like Saturday again, right?
Our gut: Pistons win outright. Wizards cover the +10.5 (Pistons −10.5, DraftKings via ESPN, ~10:15 AM ET snapshot). Pure vibes; there’s no model behind it.
📚 Previous issues: Sat Nov 7: Wizards at Thunder · Fri Nov 6: Wizards at Hawks · Wed Nov 4: Hawks at Wizards · Mon Nov 2: Wizards at Magic · Fri Oct 30: Hornets at Wizards · Wed Oct 28: Wizards at Cavaliers · Mon Oct 26: Wizards at Hornets · Sat Oct 24: Wizards at Bulls · Fri Oct 23: Raptors at Wizards