Varun Shankar
@byvarunshankar.bsky.social
Covering the Wizards for The Washington Post. He/him
Find my work: linktr.ee/byvarunshankar
Find my work: linktr.ee/byvarunshankar
Dispatch from the Wizards streak-snapping win over the Atlanta Hawks
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
CJ McCollum’s Wizards crush the Hawks to snap their 14-game skid
Powered by McCollum’s 46 points, Washington rolled, 132-113, for its first-ever win in NBA Cup competition.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Dispatch from the Wizards streak-snapping win over the Atlanta Hawks
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Wizards win, 132-113.
November 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Wizards win, 132-113.
Not undeserved!
Sarr has 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He's shooting 10/13 from the field — just two 3p attempts.
Comes on a night where the only player picked ahead of him, Risacher, has 9p on 3/7 shooting.
Wiz up 111-78 at the end of three quarters.
Sarr has 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He's shooting 10/13 from the field — just two 3p attempts.
Comes on a night where the only player picked ahead of him, Risacher, has 9p on 3/7 shooting.
Wiz up 111-78 at the end of three quarters.
Alex Sarr just got MVP chants at Capital One Arena
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Not undeserved!
Sarr has 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He's shooting 10/13 from the field — just two 3p attempts.
Comes on a night where the only player picked ahead of him, Risacher, has 9p on 3/7 shooting.
Wiz up 111-78 at the end of three quarters.
Sarr has 23 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He's shooting 10/13 from the field — just two 3p attempts.
Comes on a night where the only player picked ahead of him, Risacher, has 9p on 3/7 shooting.
Wiz up 111-78 at the end of three quarters.
Alex Sarr just got MVP chants at Capital One Arena
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Alex Sarr just got MVP chants at Capital One Arena
Rewatching the play: Kispert gets hit on the hand while trying to make a pass. Shakes his hand in pain and gets the ball back right after and takes a three. Plays a D poss. and then beckons to the bench (I'm assuming to call a TO so he can sub out).
Looks like Corey Kispert just got hurt, showing his right hand to the trainers.
November 26, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Rewatching the play: Kispert gets hit on the hand while trying to make a pass. Shakes his hand in pain and gets the ball back right after and takes a three. Plays a D poss. and then beckons to the bench (I'm assuming to call a TO so he can sub out).
Just went into the locker room
Looks like Corey Kispert just got hurt, showing his right hand to the trainers.
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Just went into the locker room
Looks like Corey Kispert just got hurt, showing his right hand to the trainers.
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Looks like Corey Kispert just got hurt, showing his right hand to the trainers.
That's a really smart play by Bilal Coulibaly. Knew he was at a mismatch guarding Porzingis. Waited for the entry pass, jumped in front and got the steal.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
That's a really smart play by Bilal Coulibaly. Knew he was at a mismatch guarding Porzingis. Waited for the entry pass, jumped in front and got the steal.
At the half, Washington leads Atlanta, 77-55.
CJ McCollum leads all scorers with 27 points. Corey Kispert has 17 points.
Wiz limit Hawks to shoot just 40.8 percent from the field and force 9 TOs (19p of those). Every member of the starting five has a steal.
CJ McCollum leads all scorers with 27 points. Corey Kispert has 17 points.
Wiz limit Hawks to shoot just 40.8 percent from the field and force 9 TOs (19p of those). Every member of the starting five has a steal.
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
At the half, Washington leads Atlanta, 77-55.
CJ McCollum leads all scorers with 27 points. Corey Kispert has 17 points.
Wiz limit Hawks to shoot just 40.8 percent from the field and force 9 TOs (19p of those). Every member of the starting five has a steal.
CJ McCollum leads all scorers with 27 points. Corey Kispert has 17 points.
Wiz limit Hawks to shoot just 40.8 percent from the field and force 9 TOs (19p of those). Every member of the starting five has a steal.
Corey Kispert!
5/5 from the field, 4/4 from three, 16 points with 1:56 left in the first quarter.
Wizards up 45!!!!!! to 16 over the Hawks.
Could the streak end tonight?
5/5 from the field, 4/4 from three, 16 points with 1:56 left in the first quarter.
Wizards up 45!!!!!! to 16 over the Hawks.
Could the streak end tonight?
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Corey Kispert!
5/5 from the field, 4/4 from three, 16 points with 1:56 left in the first quarter.
Wizards up 45!!!!!! to 16 over the Hawks.
Could the streak end tonight?
5/5 from the field, 4/4 from three, 16 points with 1:56 left in the first quarter.
Wizards up 45!!!!!! to 16 over the Hawks.
Could the streak end tonight?
With Kyshawn out, Kispert stays in the starting 5
CJ
Bilal
Corey
Khris
Sarr
CJ
Bilal
Corey
Khris
Sarr
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
With Kyshawn out, Kispert stays in the starting 5
CJ
Bilal
Corey
Khris
Sarr
CJ
Bilal
Corey
Khris
Sarr
Kyshawn George (illness) is OUT for tn, per Brian Keefe
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Kyshawn George (illness) is OUT for tn, per Brian Keefe
Wizards injury report:
- Tre Johnson (hip) OUT
- Kyshawn George (illness) QUESTIONABLE
- Marvin Bagley III (hip) QUESTIONABLE
- Tre Johnson (hip) OUT
- Kyshawn George (illness) QUESTIONABLE
- Marvin Bagley III (hip) QUESTIONABLE
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Wizards injury report:
- Tre Johnson (hip) OUT
- Kyshawn George (illness) QUESTIONABLE
- Marvin Bagley III (hip) QUESTIONABLE
- Tre Johnson (hip) OUT
- Kyshawn George (illness) QUESTIONABLE
- Marvin Bagley III (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Brian Keefe notes that on Kyshawn's last turnover vs. the Bulls, Chicago was trying to foul and should have been called for one. The Last 2 Minute report agrees with the Wizards coach.
"Jones steps forward into George's lower body, initiating illegal contact that causes him to lose his balance."
"Jones steps forward into George's lower body, initiating illegal contact that causes him to lose his balance."
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Brian Keefe notes that on Kyshawn's last turnover vs. the Bulls, Chicago was trying to foul and should have been called for one. The Last 2 Minute report agrees with the Wizards coach.
"Jones steps forward into George's lower body, initiating illegal contact that causes him to lose his balance."
"Jones steps forward into George's lower body, initiating illegal contact that causes him to lose his balance."
Tre Johnson will be out with a strained left hip flexor, per Brian Keefe. Injury usually takes 2-4 weeks to heal.
Tre has had injury since Texas. Wiz were cautious with it (held him out of Summer League games, sub-20 minutes recently). He re-aggravated hip vs. TOR.
Tre has had injury since Texas. Wiz were cautious with it (held him out of Summer League games, sub-20 minutes recently). He re-aggravated hip vs. TOR.
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Tre Johnson will be out with a strained left hip flexor, per Brian Keefe. Injury usually takes 2-4 weeks to heal.
Tre has had injury since Texas. Wiz were cautious with it (held him out of Summer League games, sub-20 minutes recently). He re-aggravated hip vs. TOR.
Tre has had injury since Texas. Wiz were cautious with it (held him out of Summer League games, sub-20 minutes recently). He re-aggravated hip vs. TOR.
The inability to force turnovers is the biggest issue IMO. Huge area of focus for the Wizards in training camp and it just hasn't translated at all.
Worse — they still foul a lot! That's great if you're aggressive/forcing TOs (think of last year's OKC, this year's DET)
Worse — they still foul a lot! That's great if you're aggressive/forcing TOs (think of last year's OKC, this year's DET)
Echoing an observation from a locked account, the Wizards don't do anything well.
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The inability to force turnovers is the biggest issue IMO. Huge area of focus for the Wizards in training camp and it just hasn't translated at all.
Worse — they still foul a lot! That's great if you're aggressive/forcing TOs (think of last year's OKC, this year's DET)
Worse — they still foul a lot! That's great if you're aggressive/forcing TOs (think of last year's OKC, this year's DET)
Echoing an observation from a locked account, the Wizards don't do anything well.
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Echoing an observation from a locked account, the Wizards don't do anything well.
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
Doesn't include tonight's game but they're 20th or lower in all eight factors (FT rate, EFG, ORB%, TOV% for each team).
Even some of the other worst teams are mediocre/good in some metrics. (1/2)
Wizards have the ball down one with 5.5 seconds left. Kyshawn gets the ball and gets blitzed quickly, turns the ball over.
November 23, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Wizards have the ball down one with 5.5 seconds left. Kyshawn gets the ball and gets blitzed quickly, turns the ball over.
Nvm! Starters back in
Wizards look like they're gonna close with youth. Bilal, Ky, Cam, Corey and Sarr
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Nvm! Starters back in
Wizards look like they're gonna close with youth. Bilal, Ky, Cam, Corey and Sarr
November 23, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Wizards look like they're gonna close with youth. Bilal, Ky, Cam, Corey and Sarr
Wizards have a chance to snap their 13-game losing streak. They lead the Bulls at the end of three quarters, 98-92.
Kispert and Vucevic with 20 points each, lead their respective teams.
Wiz 13/29 from three, Bulls 7/32. If that regresses... could see loss No. 14.
Kispert and Vucevic with 20 points each, lead their respective teams.
Wiz 13/29 from three, Bulls 7/32. If that regresses... could see loss No. 14.
November 23, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Wizards have a chance to snap their 13-game losing streak. They lead the Bulls at the end of three quarters, 98-92.
Kispert and Vucevic with 20 points each, lead their respective teams.
Wiz 13/29 from three, Bulls 7/32. If that regresses... could see loss No. 14.
Kispert and Vucevic with 20 points each, lead their respective teams.
Wiz 13/29 from three, Bulls 7/32. If that regresses... could see loss No. 14.
Not sure what Vuk was doing on that Smith take.
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Not sure what Vuk was doing on that Smith take.
Love that after a game where he went 0/5 from three, Bilal gets a semi open 3PA and fires away.
November 23, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Love that after a game where he went 0/5 from three, Bilal gets a semi open 3PA and fires away.
At the half, Wizards up 70-64 over the Bulls.
Kispert leads all scorers with 15.
Kispert leads all scorers with 15.
November 23, 2025 at 2:09 AM
At the half, Wizards up 70-64 over the Bulls.
Kispert leads all scorers with 15.
Kispert leads all scorers with 15.