Inside The Wizards

Wizards Get Two Key Players Back for Spurs Game

Multiple Washington Wizards players are on track to return from injury ahead of their matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.
Nov 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Nov 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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With the Washington Wizards set to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 18, many questions are still circulating in regard to how the rotation will look. Although it isn’t set in stone quite yet, Washington did receive very good news regarding the injury status of two starters.

The Wizards fandom was informed the day before the game that center Alex Sarr and wing Bilal Coulibaly will both be returning from injury. This news came at just the right time, considering the defensive task that Washington has ahead of them.

Sarr has been dealing with a leg injury for a while now, having not played since a Nov. 28 matchup with the Indiana Pacers. He is, of course, a huge contributor for the Wizards on both sides of the ball, as he leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. Sarr looked as if he had made the jump into stardom through the first 16 games of the season, so getting him back will be pivotal for their success versus San Antonio.

Center Alex Sarr Washington Wizard
Nov 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Coulibaly's Recent Injuries

Coulibaly, on the other hand, has dealt with his fair share of injuries all season. He opened the year still sidelined from a thumb surgery that he got in the summer — only returning for a handful of games before once again hitting the injury report for a calf contusion.

Following his recovery from the calf contusion, Coulibaly remained healthy for nearly a month of play before, once again, finding himself on the injury report — this time for an oblique strain. It goes without saying that Coulibaly is a very valuable piece to the Wizards rotation, specifically on the defensive end, where he brings point-of-attack defense that is unmatched by any other Wizard.

Wing Bilal Coulibaly Guard Kyshawn George Washington Wizard
Dec 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) celebrates with Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) after scoring while being fouled by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (not pictured) in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Wizards Still Missing Rotational Pieces

Washington will still be without wings Khris Middleton and Corey Kispert, as they too are dealing with their fair share of injury problems. However, having two key rotation players back will mean a lot in regard to the Wizards’ chances at beating the Spurs.

San Antonio is fresh off of playing in the NBA Cup, giving them a far shorter turnaround in comparison to Washington’s four-day break. The odds are still heavily stacked against the Wizards, considering they will likely enter this game as double-digit underdogs.

However, Washington is riding the tails their fourth win of the season and could continue to build upon that momentum with returning contributors, possibly propelling them to the upset win.

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Published
Owen Jury
OWEN JURY

Owen Jury is currently a writer for Sports Illustrated. Jury is a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying journalism. At Missouri, he covers men’s golf and basketball for a student-run publication called The Maneater. Jury is still figuring out what his end goal is, but he is definitely excited about his future in journalism.