Wizards Improving Going 4-6 In The Past 10 Games (12-30-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: RAFAEL SUANES-IMAGN IMAGES
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Wizards have had a hard season, to say the least. Itwas something to be expected in a rebuilding franchise. However, as of late, the young Wizards have seemed to hit a stride in their season.
In their past 10 contests, Washington has gone 4-6, with wins over the Pacers, a season sweep over the Grizzlies (one on the road & the other at home), and an impressive 21-point victory over the fourth-seeded Toronto Raptors.
What has sparked the recent impressive stretch of play?
The young players are stepping up.
Alex Sarr has been the Wizards’ most consistent player this season, averaging 17.5 points per game, eight rebounds, three assists, 2.2 blocks, 50.5 % from the field, and 34.3 % from behind the arc.
Kyshawn George’s production from his rookie season has jumped up, from 8.7 ppg to 15, from 2.5 apg to 5.1, from 4.1 rpg to 5.7, 37% fg to 47%, and 32% from three to 41%.
CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton have been solid veteran additions, providing the “been-there, done-that” presence for this young group in D.C. McCollum leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per night.
Rookie Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and Marvin Bagley have been consistent presences off the bench. Johnson set a new career-high in points last night in a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns, scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 field-goal shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 from downtown. It’s one of the reasons General Manager Will Dawkins was excited to select the young guard from Texas in the first round of this year’s draft: his ability to be a three-way scorer and create shots for himself.
In the victory over Indiana on Dec. 14th, Bagley III had a dominant 23 points and 14 rebounds, recording a double-double. It was a key staple in the victory, while D.C. also had an excellent defensive performance, holding the Pacers to 89 total points and their second-worst field-goal percentage (36.9%) and third-worst from 3-point range (25.6%).
Before recently being sidelined due to a hip injury, George was a massive reason for the Wizards’ victories against Memphis (Dec. 20th) and Toronto (Dec. 26th). Against Memphis, he scored 24 of his 28 points in the second half, sparking a 20-point comeback for the Wiz.
Four days ago, in front of a home crowd at Capital One Arena against the visiting Raptors, George led the Wizards in scoring, dropping 23 points. He also had support from McCollum and Bilal Coulibaly, who each scored 21 points. The Wizards scored a season-high 138 points on 59% shooting from the field and 46% from three as a team.
The team’s latest 116-12 victory came this past Sunday against Memphis a second time this month. Sarr scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and set a new career high with six blocks.
Trailing by 10 points with 1:55 left in the third quarter, the Wizards went on a 26-7 run that carried into the fourth quarter and put them ahead 102-94. However, the Grizzlies quickly responded with an 8-2 run fueled by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s seven straight points, cutting it down to a two-point game. Timely buckets from the vets, McCollum, and Middelton down the stretch helped seal the victory.
So it’s been great to see this young unit figure out not only how to finish wins but also to play winning basketball from start to finish.
Coulibaly and Carrington have been highlights as of late, hitting their strides after slow starts to the 2025-26 season. Carrington has embraced the off-the-bench role and looks more confident as a primary ball handler, creating shots for himself and others. Coulibaly has finished scoring in double-figures the past four contests and has been the usual consistent on-ball defender against the best-of-the-best every night.
Due to the injuries that this team has had to manage, we’ve seen playing time for even Will Riley and Jahmir Watkins to gain some early experience in the rotation. They’ve both shown some flashes on the offensive end of what they can provide, and defensively.
Two players who have been missing due to injury are Corey Kispert and Cam Whitmore. Whitmore was ruled out indefinitely two days before Christmas due to deep vein thrombosis. Kispert has dealt with two injuries that have resulted in extended absences: a fractured thumb and a left hamstring injury he sustained on his return on the 23rd.
It’s good to see the development of Brian Keefe’s squad, and despite some of the criticism Keefe has undergone from some of the fanbase, you can see the progression lately from his players.
The Wizards are back in action tomorrow against the Milwaukee Bucks for an 8 p.m. tipoff time.
