The Washington Wizards may not be making headlines in the standings, but on the court, they’re starting to turn heads - especially when it comes to their young core showing real flashes of growth. And on a night when they went toe-to-toe with a title-contending team, it was their blend of fearless youth and savvy veteran presence that proved to be the difference.
“They just play hard,” came the postgame assessment. “They’re young, they’ve got no fear, and there’s no pressure on them.
That’s a dangerous combination.” And it showed.
The Wizards didn’t just hang around - they executed late, leaned on their vets, and closed out a win that felt like a statement.
Veteran Poise in the Clutch
This one came down to the final four minutes, and that’s where Washington’s experience paid off. Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum - both on expiring deals - showed exactly why having veterans on a rebuilding roster still matters. Middleton dropped eight of his 15 points in crunch time, while McCollum iced it with a tough step-back three that pushed the lead to four with just 15 seconds left.
McCollum led the way overall with 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-11 from deep, and Middleton added a team-high six assists. These are the kinds of performances that don’t just win games - they teach young players how to win them. And while neither is expected to be part of Washington’s long-term plans, their presence through the trade deadline gives this young roster a much-needed dose of stability and leadership.
Bilal Coulibaly: Defensive Disruptor
If the veterans closed the game, it was third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly who helped shape it. The 21-year-old was everywhere on the defensive end, racking up three steals, a block, and making life miserable for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis still got his 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but he also coughed up five turnovers and fouled out - including two offensive fouls. That’s no small feat against one of the game’s most dominant forces.
Coulibaly put the exclamation point on his night with a steal and and-one dunk over Giannis in the final seconds. That kind of play doesn’t just show up in the box score - it sends a message.
“He just plays hard. Physical, long arms, athletic, strong,” was the postgame breakdown from the opposing sideline.
That’s the scouting report, and it’s starting to show up consistently on the floor.
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe echoed the sentiment, calling Coulibaly the "head" of the defense in his postgame remarks - a nod to the young guard’s growing presence on that end of the floor.
The Offensive Work in Progress
Now, Coulibaly’s defense is ahead of his offense - and that’s putting it mildly. He finished with just seven points on 3-of-9 shooting (1-of-4 from three), along with two assists and three turnovers in 33 minutes. And those numbers are pretty much in line with what he’s done so far in his young career.
Through 11 games this season, Coulibaly is shooting 38.4 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from three. For context, league-average guards are hitting 44.5 percent overall and 36.5 percent from deep. That’s a sizable gap, and it’s one that could start to limit his minutes if the Wizards find themselves in more competitive games.
But here’s the thing - Coulibaly doesn’t need to be a 20-point scorer to be valuable. His ability to defend elite talent and create chaos on that end gives him a real shot to carve out a long-term role.
The question is what kind of ceiling he has. Is he a high-level role player?
A future All-Star? Or something in between?
What’s Next
Coulibaly and the Wizards won’t have to wait long to test themselves again. They’ll head to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers Tuesday night, followed by a home matchup against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Two more chances for this young group to measure itself against the NBA’s elite - and for Coulibaly to keep building on a defensive foundation that’s already turning heads.