Anthony Davis wasted little time reminding everyone what a healthy version of him still looks like, and that matters a lot for the Washington Wizards.
In his first game since Jan. 8, Davis logged 17 first-half minutes and delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a block.
He went 6-for-11 from the field and, just as importantly for Washington, hit 2-for-3 from deep. For a team that already has plenty to sort out offensively, that kind of shooting from Davis changes the conversation fast.
The Wizards have real spacing questions to answer. AJ Dybantsa is already a high-level shot creator, but his three-point shot is still the skill that needs the most development.
Alex Sarr can shoot, though he has typically lived in the low-30s percentage-wise. Deandre Ayton does not space the floor, and Bilal Coulibaly has not been much of a threat from outside so far in his career.
That is why Davis matters so much here. If he looks like the version of himself from the past couple of years, when he hovered around 27-29 percent from three, the starting group could run into serious spacing trouble. But if he can climb back into the low 30s, the ripple effect would be enormous.
Davis already punishes teams inside the arc. If the three-ball becomes real again, he turns into a true three-level scorer, and that opens up the floor for everyone else. Dybantsa would have cleaner driving lanes, while Trae Young and Sarr would get far more room to operate in the pick-and-roll.
There is still the chance the preseason showing was just a flash, but there were plenty of encouraging signs. Davis looked leaner and more mobile, and alongside Ayton, he helped dominate the glass. Washington already looks like one of the more underrated teams entering the season, and if Davis’ shooting carries over, this offense could end up looking a lot more dangerous than people expect.
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Wizards Face An Early Test Their New Mix Needs To Pass
The Wizards opened the preseason with a win over the Knicks, a nice first look at a roster trying to sort out its new shape before the games start counting. Next up is a home date with the Pistons, another useful measuring stick for a group that is still learning how its pieces fit together, especially on a bench that struggled in the first exhibition and needs a cleaner showing against a Detroit team that likes to pressure offenses in different ways.
All of that makes the injury report worth watching as much as the matchup itself. Alex Sarr and Khris Middleton are both in game-time territory, which leaves Washington waiting on more clarity before tipoff, while the Wizards are already down Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins. For a team trying to build momentum early, the chance to get a more complete look at the rotation matters almost as much as the result. [Read more 🡒]
Wizards Face One Huge Anthony Davis Decision With Real Risk
Anthony Davis arrival in Washington has shifted the conversation around the Wizards in a hurry, even if the partnership is still in its early stages. After Dallas sent him out in the blockbuster chain reaction that began with the Luka Doni trade, the Wizards suddenly found themselves with a player whose talent changes the ceiling of any roster and whose presence instantly makes them more relevant in the leagues long view.
There is still real uncertainty attached to the move, though, and Washington is not rushing into a long-term commitment. Davis and the Wizards are both weighing what comes next, with extension talks expected to happen during or after the season, and the franchise is trying to balance the upside of keeping him around with the risk that always follows a player whose recent availability has been a major concern. [Read more 🡒]
Deandre Ayton Gets A Fresh Wizards Chance He Desperately Needed
Deandre Aytons arrival gives Washington one of the more intriguing reclamation projects on its roster. The 2018 No. 1 pick is now with his fourth team in five seasons, and the move comes with the kind of low-pressure, high-clarity setup he has not always had elsewhere. For the Wizards, it is another swing at finding a useful veteran presence in the frontcourt while trying to steady a rebuild that still needs more dependable production around the paint.
Ayton is not being asked to carry everything or force his way into a centerpiece role right away. Instead, this looks like a chance to lean into the parts of his game that can matter most for Washington: defensive rebounding, efficient scoring near the rim and giving the team a steadier option when the front line is short-handed. If he can settle into that lane, the Wizards could get more than just depth - they could get a player who helps them inch toward something closer to a turnaround. [Read more 🡒]