By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After starting the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on the injury list of the Washington Wizards, following surgery to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb, and later also dealing with a left calf contusion, 21-year-old Bilal Coulibaly returns to the sidelines due to a right oblique strain. The Wizards officially updated his status on Wednesday.
The French shooting guard was hurt during the third quarter of Tuesday’s game opposite the Philadelphia 76ers in Xfinity Mobile Arena, and subsequently listed as out for Thursday’s meeting with the Boston Celtics in Capital One Arena.
He is likely to sit out several more games, up to multiple weeks, depending on the severity of the latest setback. In any case, the Wizards became clear on being cautious.
Struggling to get on track for his third NBA journey, Coulibaly has been limited to 12 appearances, all starts, averaging 8.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. His contributions have extended beyond stats, including clutch plays on both ends of the court versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in a home win on Monday, earning praise from head coach Brian Keefe.
Fellow French starter, Alex Sarr, is also on the injury list due to a right adductor strain. The 20-year-old center is set to sit out a third straight game on Thursday. Sharife Cooper (right calf strain), Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain), and Corey Kispert (right thumb distal phalanx fracture) are out as well.
At 3-17, the Wizards sit last on the Eastern Conference table, over only the New Orleans Pelicans in the overall standings.