The Washington Wizards could be without veteran forward Khris Middleton on Saturday night as they wrap up a three-game road swing in Memphis. Middleton is officially listed as questionable with a right knee contusion ahead of the matchup against the Grizzlies, and his status remains up in the air as the team continues to manage his health through a tough stretch of the season.
Middleton hasn’t suited up since December 4, when he logged 25 minutes in a blowout loss to the Celtics. Despite the lopsided scoreline, he turned in a solid individual performance-16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, along with four assists and three boards. It was a reminder of the kind of steady, veteran presence he can bring to a young Wizards roster that’s still trying to find its footing.
Now in his first full season with Washington, Middleton is averaging 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 16 games. Those numbers are modest by his standards, marking his second-lowest scoring average since his rookie year.
But even with the dip in production, he’s still shooting a respectable 49.3% from the field and 35% from deep. The free-throw line has been a surprising struggle-he’s hitting just 73.1%, a career low-but overall, his efficiency remains intact in limited minutes (25.8 per game).
The Wizards, sitting at 4-21, have leaned on Middleton’s experience to help guide a rotation packed with youth and inconsistency. His availability has been spotty, but when he’s on the floor, he adds a layer of composure and shot-making that this team sorely needs. With Washington trying to steady the ship and find any kind of rhythm, having a veteran like Middleton in the lineup-even in a limited role-can make a difference.
Saturday’s opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, come in at 13-14 and are hovering around the middle of the Western Conference pack. For the Wizards, this is about more than just chasing a win-it’s about trying to build continuity, something that’s been elusive all season due to injuries and lineup shuffles.
After Saturday night’s tilt in Memphis, Washington heads back home to host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, closing out a back-to-back that will test the team’s depth and resilience. Whether or not Middleton is available for one or both of those games remains to be seen, but his presence-or absence-will be felt either way.