Josh Robbins
@joshrobbins.bsky.social
Senior Writer for The Athletic. I cover the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and the NBA.
Final: Hawks 131, Wizards 116
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
December 7, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Final: Hawks 131, Wizards 116
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
I'm not suggesting tonight is a moral victory. But so far, this is the kind of performance that Wizards fans have indicated they can live with. The Wizards trailed by as many as 20 points and then fought back to tie. The Hawks lead 105-97 with 9:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
December 7, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I'm not suggesting tonight is a moral victory. But so far, this is the kind of performance that Wizards fans have indicated they can live with. The Wizards trailed by as many as 20 points and then fought back to tie. The Hawks lead 105-97 with 9:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Wizards rookie Will Riley now has 15 points, setting a new NBA career high. His prior high was 13 points, set during Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia.
December 7, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Wizards rookie Will Riley now has 15 points, setting a new NBA career high. His prior high was 13 points, set during Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia.
Jalen Johnson is turning in another impressive performance. At halftime, he's well on his way to another triple-double, with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, assuming he's not rested if the game goes into further blowout territory.
December 7, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Jalen Johnson is turning in another impressive performance. At halftime, he's well on his way to another triple-double, with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, assuming he's not rested if the game goes into further blowout territory.
The Wizards are down 47-35 midway through the second quarter, prompting Brian Keefe to take a timeout. It'll be interesting to see if the team shows the fight that Keefe and players say they're looking for in moments such as this one.
December 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The Wizards are down 47-35 midway through the second quarter, prompting Brian Keefe to take a timeout. It'll be interesting to see if the team shows the fight that Keefe and players say they're looking for in moments such as this one.
Jalen Johnson last night recorded a triple-double in 16 minutes and 44 seconds -- the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history. At the end of the first quarter tonight in Washington, he has 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in 9 minutes, 5 seconds of time.
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Jalen Johnson last night recorded a triple-double in 16 minutes and 44 seconds -- the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history. At the end of the first quarter tonight in Washington, he has 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in 9 minutes, 5 seconds of time.
The Wizards have started the game well -- with one major exception: They're getting clobbered on their defensive board. The Hawks have collected six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points. Atlanta leads 21-18 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
December 7, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The Wizards have started the game well -- with one major exception: They're getting clobbered on their defensive board. The Hawks have collected six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points. Atlanta leads 21-18 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
"Buckle up, everybody. It's Wizards Week."
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
December 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"Buckle up, everybody. It's Wizards Week."
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Josh Robbins
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
December 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
(1/2) The Wizards’ injury report for their game Saturday against the Hawks:
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
December 5, 2025 at 10:37 PM
(1/2) The Wizards’ injury report for their game Saturday against the Hawks:
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
December 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
The Wizards have lost to the Celtics 146-101. The 45-point margin is the largest margin of the Wizards’ season. The previous high was 33, reached Nov. 7 in a loss to Cleveland (148-115) and Nov. 28 in a loss at Indiana (119-86).
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
The Wizards have lost to the Celtics 146-101. The 45-point margin is the largest margin of the Wizards’ season. The previous high was 33, reached Nov. 7 in a loss to Cleveland (148-115) and Nov. 28 in a loss at Indiana (119-86).
The Boston Celtics already have reached 127 points against the Washington Wizards, and there are still 8 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. And they're doing so without Jaylen Brown, who is out with an illness. Boston's shooting 56 percent from the field.
December 5, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The Boston Celtics already have reached 127 points against the Washington Wizards, and there are still 8 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. And they're doing so without Jaylen Brown, who is out with an illness. Boston's shooting 56 percent from the field.
Halftime: Celtics 66, Wizards 59
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
December 5, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Halftime: Celtics 66, Wizards 59
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Will Riley just had two nice plays on consecutive offensive possessions. He drained a corner 3 on an interesting pass by Tristan Vukcevic. On the next trip down the floor, Riley had a wraparound pass to Cam Whitmore that led to an easy Whitmore layup.
December 5, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Will Riley just had two nice plays on consecutive offensive possessions. He drained a corner 3 on an interesting pass by Tristan Vukcevic. On the next trip down the floor, Riley had a wraparound pass to Cam Whitmore that led to an easy Whitmore layup.
With injuries to three key wings, Jamir Watkins tonight will make his first NBA regular-season start. The Wizards starters are:
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
With injuries to three key wings, Jamir Watkins tonight will make his first NBA regular-season start. The Wizards starters are:
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
The Washington Wizards have completed the first quarter of their season and have the league's second worst record. What should we conclude about how things have gone for them so far? Here is my breakdown, published just now in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
The Wizards have the league’s second worst record. But they’re following their plan.
After 20 games, this season's Wizards are exactly where they need to be in order to have a successful 2026 draft.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The Washington Wizards have completed the first quarter of their season and have the league's second worst record. What should we conclude about how things have gone for them so far? Here is my breakdown, published just now in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Story on Bilal Coulibaly's oblique injury, and where the Washington Wizards go from here, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Bilal Coulibaly to be sidelined multiple weeks with right oblique strain
Coulibaly's injury is another tough blow to the Wizards' defense.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Story on Bilal Coulibaly's oblique injury, and where the Washington Wizards go from here, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington's top perimeter defender, suffered his right oblique strain early in last night's third quarter and played through discomfort. He is likely to miss multiple weeks because of the injury. It's a tough blow to a defense that has struggled without him.
December 4, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington's top perimeter defender, suffered his right oblique strain early in last night's third quarter and played through discomfort. He is likely to miss multiple weeks because of the injury. It's a tough blow to a defense that has struggled without him.
This is the Wizards’ injury report for their game Thursday against the Celtics at Capital One Arena:
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
December 3, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is the Wizards’ injury report for their game Thursday against the Celtics at Capital One Arena:
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
The NBA's Last Two Minute Report for Monday's Wizards win over the Bucks said there were no officiating errors on calls or non-calls during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The NBA's Last Two Minute Report for Monday's Wizards win over the Bucks said there were no officiating errors on calls or non-calls during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Wizards needed all of their players' contributions in their 129-126 win last night over the Bucks. Tristan Vukcevic scored 16 points off the bench. Vukcevic also provided at least his third Kornet contest of the season on this sequence, which ended with a 3 by Gary Trent Jr.
December 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The Wizards needed all of their players' contributions in their 129-126 win last night over the Bucks. Tristan Vukcevic scored 16 points off the bench. Vukcevic also provided at least his third Kornet contest of the season on this sequence, which ended with a 3 by Gary Trent Jr.
Bilal Coulibaly's defense was a key factor in the Wizards' victory over the Bucks last night. Here's a clip of Coulibaly's second-quarter block on Giannis Antetokounmpo:
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Bilal Coulibaly's defense was a key factor in the Wizards' victory over the Bucks last night. Here's a clip of Coulibaly's second-quarter block on Giannis Antetokounmpo:
Reposted by Josh Robbins
How ex–G League players became NCAA-eligible — and what it means for the sport
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
How ex–G League players became NCAA-eligible — and what it means for the sport
A surprise NCAA ruling made certain ex–G League players eligible, which blindsided many in the sport.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
How ex–G League players became NCAA-eligible — and what it means for the sport
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
(1/2) The Wizards have listed Kyshawn George (left big toe contusion) as questionable to play tonight in Philly. Out are: AJ Johnson (G League assignment), Tre Johnson (hip flexor), Corey Kispert (thumb), Khris Middleton (second night of a back-to-back), Alex Sarr (adductor strain) ...
December 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
(1/2) The Wizards have listed Kyshawn George (left big toe contusion) as questionable to play tonight in Philly. Out are: AJ Johnson (G League assignment), Tre Johnson (hip flexor), Corey Kispert (thumb), Khris Middleton (second night of a back-to-back), Alex Sarr (adductor strain) ...