Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) has been cleared to play in the second leg of a back-to-back for the first time this season, but head coach Wes Unseld Jr. will limit his big man to around 16-18 minutes for Thursday's game vs. the Nets. Bryant, who will start, has averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 rebounds since being inserted into the starting five eight games ago. His limited time on the floor (20.1 minutes per game) has weighed down his season-long fantasy appeal. With Kristaps Porzingis' (knee) return on the horizon as well, Bryant faces a muddled path to fantasy relevance in any non-deep format.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game vs. Philadelphia due to a sprained right ankle. Bryant had shifted back into the starting five over the team's two previous outings, but Daniel Gafford will reclaim that spot Wednesday, albeit with the difficult task of corralling Joel Embiid. Bryant has been limited to just 15.2 minutes per outing across his first nine contests as the team eases him back from a partially torn ACL that sidelined him for nearly the first three months of 2021-22. Even when healthy, Bryant has not yet proven to be a season-long asset due to his capped minutes allotment. His next chance to suit up comes Saturday against the Suns.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant will move into the starting five for Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Daniel Gafford has been lackluster lately, so he'll move to the second unit here. The Wizards have experienced issues all season long trying to find playing time for their three-headed monster at center. Bryant has some streaming appeal for Saturday, but isn't a must-have option in most formats. Fantasy managers should view this as a wait-and-see approach, but Gafford could very well rejoin the starting five next game.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) is expected to be available for Wednesday's game against Orlando, which will mark his season debut. Bryant last appeared Jan. 9, 2021, having since rehabbed a torn left ACL. The 24-year-old will likely be on a sizable minutes restriction to begin his playing stint, with his addition giving Washington a formidable triumvirate at the center spot of himself, Daniel Gafford, and Montrezl Harrell. In just 10 games last year, Bryant averaged 14.3 points and 6.1 boards, all while shooting 64.8 percent from the field. Fantasy managers shouldn't clamor to the waiver wire to snag him just yet, but once his minutes cap is lifted, Bryant stands to have some season-long appeal in medium-sized or larger formats.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) is expected to return in a week or two. That is a bit surprisingly considering Bryant had ACL surgery a year ago. Although, head coach Wes Unseld Jr. believes Bryant is almost ready to take the court. Fantasy managers should expect the Wizards to be extremely cautious once Bryant does return. He should have his minutes limited for quite some time, which will limit his fantasy value. Also, it's uncertain how he'll fit in the mix with Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell. Both players have been playing well, so the Wizards could have too many big men on their hands. That being said, fantasy managers don't need to jump and grab Bryant off the waiver wire.

Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. stated the Wizards expect center Thomas Bryant (knee) to return from injury at some point in January. The team was expecting Bryant back in December, but Bryant needs more time to get back into game shape. Bryant's return could complicate things with centers Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell already battling for play time. Given the log jam at center, Bryant can be an IR stash, but his return could downgrade all three centers, depending on how Washington utilizes the rotation.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) could return to practice within the next two weeks, according to general manager Tommy Shepard. The young big man is working his way back after suffering a partially torn ACL in January. The Wizards would certainly love to Bryant back since he was a stud before the injury. Fantasy managers don't need to rush to snag Bryant since it's uncertain when he'll get back on the court. Instead, fantasy managers should check back for another update in roughly two weeks to see how Bryant has progressed.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) starting dunking a few weeks ago. This is a step in the right direction, and it comes after the big man tore his ACL early during the 2020-21 campaign. Before going down with the injury, Bryant was averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds throughout 27 minutes. While he isn't expected to return for at least a few more months, he is worth a stash in fantasy leagues of all formats. His presence on the court will also undoubtedly cause Montrezl Harrell's fantasy stock to decrease as well, although managers don't have to worry about that for a while.

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (knee) will miss the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA campaign. The 24-year-old suffered a torn left ACL early last season, which was unfortunate considering he was averaging a career-high 14.3 points while shooting nearly 43 percent from deep. However, even when healthy, his days as an everyday fantasy option are likely over as long as he remains in Washington, primarily after the team acquired Montrezl Harrell from the Lakers on draft night.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first topic raised with Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard the day after the team's season ended was the topic that will hang over the offseason until a decision is announced: Will coach Scott Brooks be back? “We're not doing anything about that today,” Sheppard replied during a video conference with reporters on Thursday, before praising Brooks for “keeping this team together through some of the most difficult, dark moments probably in franchise history.” Not surprisingly, Brooks said he wants to return; his five-year, $35 million contract is expiring. “I wouldn’t want to move on,” he said. “I love it here. I love the city.” It was, to be sure, a trying season for the Wizards, who started 0-5 along the way to 17-32 in early April. They dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak that put them on a two-week hiatus without games or practices plus had to find replacements after season-ending injuries to starting center Thomas Bryant and first-round draft pick Deni... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards rookie forward Deni Avdija will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right leg. The Wizards said that an MRI exam Thursday showed Avdija has a hairline fracture of his right fibula. The team said the 20-year-old from Israel does not need surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in about three months. Washington's regular-season finale is May 16. The first-round draft pick was hurt and taken off the court in a wheelchair during Washington’s 118-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Avdija landed awkwardly after missing a layup late in the second quarter. He lay on the floor for several minutes and teammate Jordan Bell came off the bench to cover his lower leg with a jersey. Washington selected Avdija with the ninth overall pick in last year’s NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 small forward has been starting for the Wizards and is averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. He's the second starter Washington lost to injury this season: Center Thomas Bryant tore the ACL in his left knee. Washington is on a season-high six-game winning streak and in the race for a play-in berth in the Eastern Conference heading into Friday's game at the Oklahoma City Thunder. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The shorthanded Washington Wizards signed free agent centers Alex Len and Jordan Bell on Saturday, trying to fill out a roster decimated by COVID-19 and injuries. The Wizards have scrapped six games since a win over Phoenix on Jan. 11 made them 3-8. They’re scheduled to play Sunday at San Antonio. Six Washington players have tested positive for the coronavirus and three other players were sidelined after contact tracing determined they might have been exposed to the illness. Starting center Thomas Bryant is out for the season with an injured left knee and point guard Russell Westbrook is still dealing with a left quadriceps injury. The 7-foot Len averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in 474 games over eight seasons with Phoenix, Atlanta, Sacramento and Toronto. He played seven games for the Raptors this season. The 27-year-old from Ukraine played at Maryland before he was the fifth overall pick by Phoenix in the 2013 draft. The 6-8 Bell averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 154 games over three seasons with Golden State, Minnesota and Memphis. The 26-year-old hadn’t played in the NBA this season. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook is expected to sit out a week with an injured left leg, the latest blow to a team that entered Monday with a 2-8 record. The Wizards announced before Monday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns that Westbrook's left quadriceps was hurt because of “repeated contact to the area since the beginning of the season.” The team said the 2016-17 MVP and nine-time All-NBA selection would be re-evaluated at the end of the week. Washington is scheduled to play five games through next Monday. “He got hit pretty bad in his quad in training camp,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said before Monday's game with Phoenix. “And the thing about him is, he's as tough as nails. He as tough a competitor I've ever been around as a player and as a coach, and it's bothered him. He pushed through it with the treatments and the padding, but he's never made an excuse, not even to me.” Westbrook, acquired shortly before the preseason in the trade that sent... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook is expected to sit out a week with an injured left leg, the latest blow to a team that entered Monday with a 2-8 record. The Wizards announced before Monday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns that Westbrook's left quadriceps was hurt because of “repeated contact to the area since the beginning of the season.” The team said the 2016-17 league MVP for the Oklahoma City Thunder and nine-time All-NBA selection would be re-evaluated at the end of the week. Washington is scheduled to play five games through next Monday. Westbrook, acquired shortly before the preseason in the trade that sent John Wall to the Houston Rockets, is averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 assists and 9.7 rebounds through seven games with the Wizards, including four triple-doubles. He is shooting just 37.8% so far. The update on Westbrook’s status comes a day after the Wizards said center Thomas Bryant has a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Bryant is likely to miss the rest of the season. He was one of only two players who started each of Washington’s first 10 games. He was injured in the first quarter of a 128-124 loss to the visiting Miami Heat on Saturday. That was Washington’s third consecutive defeat overall and dropped coach Scott Brooks’ team to 0-5 at home this season. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards likely will be without center Thomas Bryant for the remainder of the season because of a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Bryant is one of only two players who started all 10 games so far this season for the Wizards. He got hurt after incidental contact with two Miami players during the first quarter of the Wizards’ loss to the Heat on Saturday night. An MRI performed Sunday confirmed the partial tear. The Wizards have not announced when Bryant will have surgery or given an exact timeline for his recovery, but the rehabilitation process following ACL tears and surgery typically take several months at a minimum. “I just know one thing about TB: He’s a great kid that works hard, plays with passion, gives you everything he has,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. Bryant has averaged 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds on 65% shooting this season. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant $45,000 for repeatedly making inappropriate contact with an official the league announced Saturday. Bryant, who received a technical foul as part of the incident, was aggressively attempting to confront Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin, who had committed a Flagrant Foul 1 against Bryant on the play. The incident occurred with 8:42 remaining in the third quarter of Washington’s 97-86 preseason loss to Detroit on Thursday night. The two teams will play again Saturday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard dropped by point guard John Wall’s workout Monday and they chatted. About their kids. About Thanksgiving Day plans. About their favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys. What they didn’t discuss, according to Sheppard, was the possibility of Washington dealing Wall elsewhere. “There’s no plans to trade John,” were the first words spoken by Sheppard during a video conference Monday, when most questions from reporters were about the five-time All-Star who was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Wall missed all of last season, and most of 2018-19, too, with injuries to his left heel, then Achilles tendon, and reports surfaced in recent days that he requested a trade. Sheppard downplayed that with training camp set to begin next week, saying Wall “didn’t request” to be moved when they spoke Monday. He said he and Wall speak “pretty much every other day” and characterized their relationship as “very, very close.” “There’s... [More]

Rui Hachimura just wrapped up his rookie year -- and it was a rough one for his Washington Wizards, who yet again missed the playoffs -- but he knows enough to recognize the biggest two reasons to have at least a modicum of hope looking ahead.“When John and Brad return,” said the first Japanese player to be taken in the NBA draft’s first round, “it’s going to be a fun team.”That could be. Not really anywhere to go but up, after all, given that the Wizards went 25-47 overall this season without point guard John Wall, including just 1-7 during the league’s coronavirus pandemic restart in Florida without shooting guard Bradley Beal, who cited a bum shoulder in opting out. Only seven of the NBA’s 30 clubs finished the regular season with a worse winning percentage, so it is hard to know exactly what Washington is capable of becoming as it moves forward.Much will depend on how this offseason unfolds. “We have some decisions to make,” coach Scott Brooks said.Without their two All-Stars and far-and-away... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Wizards waived guard C.J. Miles and signed two-way player Anzejs Pasecniks to a multiyear contract before Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz.The Wizards's leading scorer, Bradley Beal, also returned after missing five games with soreness in his lower right leg. The Jazz's leading scorer, Donovan Mitchell, was out with an illness.Miles had not played since late November after having surgery on his left wrist. He was averaging 6.4 points and 16 minutes per game.Pasecniks has averaged 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds since signing a two-way contract with Washington on Dec. 18. The Wizards also inked Johnathan Williams to a two-way deal.Beal was in the starting lineup for the first time since New Year's Day for Washington, which also welcomed center Thomas Bryant back after he missed 20 games with a foot injury.Mitchell sat out his first game of the season after playing through illness on Friday. The result was a season-low four points — his first total below double figures — on 2-of-9 shooting.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards forward C.J. Miles is out indefinitely after having surgery on his left wrist.Miles had an operation Wednesday to repair ligament damage. He was hurt in Washington's 117-104 loss at the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 26.The Wizards say there is no timeline for his return. Miles is averaging 6.4 points in 10 games this season, his first with the Wizards.He is part of a lengthy list of missing players for Washington, which is 6-13 heading into its game against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. All three centers on the roster — Thomas Bryant, Ian Mahinmi and Moe Wagner — are out with injuries. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports