Wizards Youth Shine in Gritty Win Over Kings as Riley, Johnson Show Growth Beyond the Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On paper, this was a game the Wizards were supposed to lose. Coming off a blowout loss to the Lakers and staring down a Sacramento Kings squad with All-Star firepower, Washington didn’t exactly look like a team ready to bounce back. But Sunday night at Capital One Arena, the Wizards flipped the script, pulling off a 116-112 win that, while not ideal for their draft lottery odds, offered a glimpse into the future - and it looked promising.
For a rebuilding team, wins like this are about more than just the final score. They’re about development, confidence, and moments that matter for the young core. And on Sunday, that spotlight belonged to rookies Will Riley and AJ Johnson.
Riley, just 19 years old, put together the best performance of his young NBA career, dropping 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep. He added six rebounds, a career-high six assists, and just one turnover in 30 minutes. But what stood out even more than the numbers was his poise - especially in the fourth quarter, where he poured in 12 of his 18 points to help close the door on Sacramento.
After the game, Riley credited two of the team’s elder statesmen - Khris Middleton and Anthony Gill - for helping him grow this season, not just as a player but as a professional.
“Routine and the way you carry yourself,” Riley said. “Khris has a very good routine, comes very early.
He’s done the same routine throughout his whole career. I feel like building a routine, and character from AG.
He’s instilled a lot of great character into me. How you treat people, how you talk to people.
He’s a very important person to have in my life.”
That kind of mentorship matters, especially on a team that’s prioritizing development. Middleton and Gill, both over 30, are the last of the veterans on a roster that’s been reshaped with youth in mind. Middleton, in particular, may not be in Washington much longer - with the trade deadline looming, a buyout appears more likely than a deal, given his $33.2 million player option and reduced on-court production (10.3 points per game on 43.3% shooting).
But even if his time in D.C. is short, Middleton’s presence has already left a mark on Riley. And that’s the kind of intangible value that doesn’t show up in trade machines or salary cap spreadsheets.
As for Johnson, the 21-year-old guard also made the most of his opportunity. He logged a season-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, knocked down a pair of threes, and dished out four assists in 27 minutes.
He also had seven turnovers - a reminder that growth isn’t always linear - but the flashes of talent were undeniable. Johnson attacked the rim, made plays for others, and looked comfortable sharing the floor with his fellow Go-Go alum.
That’s right - the Wizards closed the game with a lineup that would’ve looked more at home in the G League: Riley, Johnson, Sharife Cooper, Skal Labissiere, and Gill. That group, minus Gill, has seen extensive minutes together with the Capital City Go-Go this season. Yet they held their own - and then some - against a Kings lineup featuring DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
That unit wasn’t supposed to win. In fact, from a tanking perspective, it might’ve been the ideal group to lose with.
But they didn’t. They executed, they competed, and they outplayed the Kings down the stretch.
Now, the win ties Washington with Brooklyn for the fourth-worst record in the league at 13-35. With a top-eight protected pick in play, the Wizards need to finish no higher than fourth-worst to keep their selection. So yes, every win matters - and not always in a good way.
But there’s still time. The regular season doesn’t wrap until April.
And in the meantime, the focus remains on development. Sunday night was a big step in that direction.
I asked Will Riley what advice veterans like Khris Middleton and Anthony Gill have given him recently that’s helped his game (thread):
— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 2, 2026
“Routine and the way you carry yourself. Khris has a very good routine, comes very early. He’s done the same routine throughout…” pic.twitter.com/qaipHqggCN
Johnson, who’s averaged just 7.9 minutes across 24 appearances this season, looked like a player ready for a larger role. He wasn’t just scoring - he was making reads, finding open shooters, and showing the kind of confidence that comes from earning your spot.
“It definitely feels good going out there and playing against great players…Competing…It’s a blessing,” Johnson said postgame, reflecting on sharing the floor with the likes of LaVine and DeRozan.
If he keeps stacking performances like this, he’s going to force the front office to take notice. Team president Michael Winger has already singled out Riley and Johnson as key evaluation pieces for the rest of the season. Sunday gave a clear look at why.
And while the veterans may not be part of the long-term plan, their influence is already paying dividends. Middleton’s routine.
Gill’s leadership. These are the building blocks of a culture shift - one where young players aren’t just thrown into the fire, but guided through it.
I asked AJ Johnson how it felt to not only close out the win with several G League teammates, but to do it against established vets like DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine:
— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 2, 2026
“It definitely feels good going out there and playing against great players…Competing…It’s a blessing…” pic.twitter.com/59frTVH5g3
Next up: the New York Knicks come to town on Tuesday. Another test, another opportunity. For Riley, Johnson, and the rest of Washington’s youth movement, the journey is just beginning - and Sunday night was a strong step forward.