The Wizards announced on December 21 that forward Rui Hachimura would be sidelined for approximately three weeks due to an eye issue (bi-lateral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis). However, he’s set to easily beat that recovery timeline.
Head coach Scott Brooks told reporters today that Hachimura will play on Thursday night vs. Chicago, as Ava Wallace of The Washington Post tweets. The second-year forward is expected to see about 20 minutes of action, Brooks added (Twitter link via Fred Katz of The Athletic).
While Hachimura isn’t exactly a star-caliber difference-maker, the Wizards will welcome any reinforcements they can get, given their slow start. Washington is tied for the NBA’s worst record at 0-4 so far.
Here’s more out of D.C.:
- Bradley Beal‘s frustration was evident after Tuesday’s loss to Chicago, as he left without speaking to the media, a rarity for the Wizards star, tweets Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Beal explained to reporters today that he was watching film and said he doesn’t intend to let his frustrations carry over (link via Fred Katz). Still, it’s worth keeping a close eye on Beal this season, especially if the Wizards keep losing — if his commitment to the team wavers, there will be plenty of rival clubs ready to inquire on his availability.
- Here’s more from Beal on the energy in the Wizards’ locker room following the 0-4 start: “Nobody’s mad at their teammate or hates the next man. It’s not that type of emotion or feeling. I feel like everybody’s pissed off, I feel like that’s a good thing“ (Twitter link via Ava Wallace).
- The Wizards should make a stronger effort to surround Russell Westbrook with more three-point shooters during his minutes, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic, who notes that Westbrook has played some of his minutes alongside three non-shooters.
- In case you missed it, the Wizards picked up their 2021/22 options on Hachimura and Troy Brown, but opted to pass on their options for Jerome Robinson and Moritz Wagner.
Russell Stat Pad-Brook…
Yeah, Stat-padding to three straight YEARS of triple doubles. Best all time.
Stat padding ain’t a thing, most stupid thing to say, like ever, dude rocks!
Three triple-doubles and his team is 0-4, great job Russ!
Players, coaches, GMs only run from Harden. It’s documented. KD runs to win titles. Cause when you have the best record team down 3-1 in playoffs. And can’t beat them you join them. Siilyman
I’ll take Westbrook all day.
And how many titles??? How many stars want to play with him??? Wilt was dropping 100 points and holding L’s too, the he wised up & asked for a trade to actually win while playing within a team system. You folks call everything stupid when someone doesn’t think exactly like you. No I don’t think like everyone does. But sure you all whom were never told no in life have a boxed in mindset.
Durant left OKC to get away from Westbrook and won two titles.
Then Russ wore out his welcome quickly in Houston after just one season.
They will get offended cause you made a point…
Points being?…
Barkley never won a title. Karl Malone never won a title. John Stockton never won a title. Dan Marino never won a title. Jim Kelly never won a title. Ernie Banks never won a title. What a f/u argument.
At the rate this is going, Beal will be gone at the deadline.
Maybe the Rockets will be able to work out a deal for him…. Or the Sixers will have a rational trade partner in Washington, and a target worth giving up Simmons.
It would only be fitting if the wizards traded Beal to Hou for Harden and whatever draft capitol they have so Harden would have to play with Russ again!
Beal isn’t going anywhere. And It is not Westbrooks team. It is Bradley Beals team ; ) =)