What Wizards Missed Without Bilal Coulibaly

The Washington Wizards made a less-than-stellar debut in their season opener with a 132-120 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks before taking down the Dallas Mavericks. The team has won just that one as a whole, though, as they are now on a three-game losing streak.

Before Bilal Coulibay returned to action this week against the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington was 1-3.

Bilal Coulibaly should make another leap in his game during his third season in the NBA and with the Washington Wizards. — Mar 1, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) shoots against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

In his season debut, Coulibaly posted 16 points in addtion to eight rebounds and four assists. He also got things done defensively for Washington by recording a steal and three blocks.

The Wizards still fell in blowout fashion by a score of 127-108 on the road in Oklahoma City despite Coulibaly's best efforts, however.

Here's three reasons why Coulibaly was missed early on during the Wizards' 65th NBA season, and how he can potentially help them get better as the year goes along.

His scoring ability is needed

In two seasons, the Wizards have seen the potential of the 6'7'' wing. Coulibably improved his scoring by about four points per game last season from his rookie year.

Coulibaly's season was cut short back in March at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Prior to that, he had scored at least ten points in nine of his eleven games during the month of February.

Coulibaly scored a season-high 27 points on two different occassions, in addition to a third game where he scored 26 points. Consistency is the key, however, as the Wizards' tall guard struggled to score more than eight points for six straight games between late November and early December last year.

Bilal Coulibaly averaged 1.3 steals per game last season for the Washington Wizards. His defense was missed vs. the Bucks. — Mar 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) defends against Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Coulibaly is a better than average defender.

The third-year athlete averaged 1.3 steals per contest last season. That's up from his 0.9 steals a game before that. Coulibaly also averages about .75 blocks a night for his career.

Originally drafted by the Indiana Pacers, the young wing got better at rebounding in just a year. He went from 4.1 to 5.0 per game.

Bilal Coulibaly isn't really known for turning over the ball. However, the Washington Wizards as a team are (14.9 last year). — Mar 8, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) tries to defend during the first quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Washington trusts Coulibaly to not turn the ball over.

The Wizards have struggled holding onto the ball at times throughout the early portion of the season, which is evidenced by the fact that they have turned it over 16.0 times per game thus far, which is the eighth-worst mark in the league.

Coulibaly had four turnovers against the Thunder in his season debut, but he's averaging just 1.8 per game throughout his NBA career up to this point.

Washington hopes to start winning and improve upon its 1-4 record as the year goes on, and Coulibaly could help the team in that regard as he gets back into the groove of things.

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