Inside The Wizards

Wizards’ First 10 Games Offer Three Big Opportunities

Heading into the season opener, the Washington Wizards have a favorable ten games given the circumstances.
Scott Conrad|
Oct 16, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe argues with officials during their game against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Oct 16, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe argues with officials during their game against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards managed to go 1-2 in their short sample size this preseason. In three games, the NBA Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls had flashes of greatness.

With an improved roster including stars CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, the Wizards could surprise some people this season. Washington is a team that went 18-64 last year.

This year, they should earn more wins and quite a few of them could come early on for the Wizards.

Washington Wizards small forward Khris Middleton will face his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, in the regular season opener
Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) takes a shot over Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

1. Why Washington could win on opening night in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks are the first opponent for the 2025-2026 NBA season for the Wizards. Though this Eastern Conference foe won the NBA title in 2021, they are not the same team.

For instance, their starting small forward from that championship roster is now on Washington's. Giannis Antetokounmpo has to get used to playing with new center Myles Turner. Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. are the two projected starters in the Bucks' backcourt.

Of all the positions that went off on Washington last season it was shooting guard. That could arguably be the worst position of the five in Milwaukee's starting lineup. This makes the road game and return to Milwaukee for Middleton and the Wizards winnable.

2. The Wizards play the Kyrie Irving-less Dallas Mavericks, twice.

Also on the schedule in early on for Washington is the Dallas Mavericks. The Wizards will face the Mavericks their two times this season within the first ten games.

No longer the Mavericks is Luka Doncic. Dallas won't have Kyrie Irving to open up the season. the All-Star guard is recovering from ACL surgery still.

The Washington Wizards will play a Dallas Mavericks teams without Kyrie Irving and with a rookie Cooper Flagg twice early on.
Oct 6, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (left) and guard Kyrie Irving (right) look on during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickie's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Furthermore, the Mavericks will be developing 18-year-old Cooper Flagg as the rookie will be inserted into the starting lineup alongside Klay Thompson and PJ Washington.

The Wizards are a competitive enough team to where they could actually pull off an upset, maybe even two of them. Dallas is expected to be stronger second-half of the season. At that point, Washington wouldn't have the Jason Kidd coached team on their remaining schedule.

3. The Wizards could get lucky against the Boston Celtics.

Washington has a few opponents from the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs up front in the next few weeks. The Wizards have to play the Bucks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and the Orlando Magic.

On their schedule for Wednesday, November 5th are the Boston Celtics. The Jayson Tatum-less Celtics may not be as strong of a team early on, either.

Al Horford leaving the Boston Celtics helps make the Washington Wizards game vs. the 2024 NBA champs easier early this season
Oct 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Al Horford warms up before facing the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Since Tatum went down in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, Boston has moved a few other key pieces from the championship team. Kristaps Porzingis is with the Atlanta Hawks, and Jrue Holiday is out West with the Portland Trailblazers now.

The Celtics are without Luke Kormet, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, and veteran Al Horford has recently signed with the Golden State Warriors. Kormet and Horford join teams that have multiple championships since 2000.

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Scott Conrad
SCOTT CONRAD

My name is Scott Conrad and I am a Contributor for the Chicago Sky with Sports Illustrated.com. I am also a Contributor with FanSided on NinerNoise, as well as Da Windy City. In addition, I am the Site Editor/Expert for The View from Avalon. I spent two seasons (2015 & 2016) with the Tampa Bay Times as a Correspondent covering high school football. I am a two-time published author with more work to come. In my teenage years, I started watching both MLS and WNBA start in 1996 and grow to be the juggernauts they are in their respective sports. Much love to the career on and off the court for fellow-Napervillian and former Sky forward Candace Parker. Outside of the sports journalism world, I am a travel volleyball coach. I accepted the Head Coach position with Greater Cincinnati Volleyball Club for their U13-2 team. In terms of active sports, I play volleyball, soccer, softball, kickball and train in mixed martial arts.

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