THE Washington Wizards with out Kyle Kuzma gained their second straight recreation towards the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday evening. Now they need to hit the street and attempt to win on the penalty kill once more.
Kuzma will likely be launched on Saturdaythrough Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
“Kyle Kuzma (groin pressure) is not going to play within the Wizards’ recreation in Mexico towards the [Miami] Warmth, coach Brian Keefe stated,” Robbins reported. “Kuzma was injured in the course of the Wizards’ win Monday in Atlanta.”
Kuzma bounced again Monday after a tricky first two video games, scoring 25 factors on 8-20 capturing (5 of 9 3-pointers) with 11 rebounds and 7 assists in 40 minutes earlier than leaving. The 29-year-old shot simply 9 of 32 within the first two video games.
Will Washington manages the warmth with out him?
Warmth recreation will likely be a rising expertise for Wizards
Washington confirmed promise on each ends of the ground towards the Hawks, with second-year winger Bilal Coulibaly shutting down star guard Trae Younger on Monday and its three rookies displaying in Wednesday’s 133-120 victory. Miami, nonetheless, is a unique beast. Erik Spoelstra’s staff has made a number of deep playoff runs this decade, and Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are a handful for any protection.
Nonetheless, Wizards head coach Brian Keefe welcome the problem.
“Clearly a championship group, how they play with a defensive mindset,” Keefe stated of the Warmth on Thursday. “Clearly, it is a staff that has been to the Japanese Convention Finals the final two years. An incredible problem, a whole lot of good gamers, I am trying ahead to the journey.
The 48-year-old was additionally requested in regards to the put on and tear of a five-hour worldwide flight amid the cruel season.
“Now we have a day between practices, however I feel it’s only a matter of mindset,” Keefe continued. “Each groups face the identical circumstances, so we do not use it for another goal. Now we have a recreation, play the sport.”
Whereas the Wizards are nonetheless of their rebuilding section, the highest precedence is seeing younger gamers shine. With Kuzma out once more, Keefe might begin the rookie trio of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George for the second straight recreation. Sarr and George every had 11 factors on Wednesday, whereas Carrington had 16.
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Sarr, nonetheless, should show his value towards three-time All-Star and 2024 NBA All-Defensive First Teamer Bam Adebayo. Keefe weighed in on one of many No. 2 decide’s largest challenges but.
“Nice respect for Bam, however we’re nonetheless engaged on ourselves. We care about enhancing Alex every single day,” the UNLV alum stated. “Bam is clearly nice, he has nice respect for him, however we have had just a few days earlier than, so we’re nonetheless targeted on ourselves and we’ll most likely get to Miami in a day or two.”
Whereas Washington’s 2-2 document is encouraging, this season stays targeted on participant improvement by way of wins and losses. Matchups towards playoff-caliber groups, nonetheless, present a litmus check for a way the younger core stacks up towards the perfect.
Taking part in in Mexico Metropolis provides one other downside, because the lengthy flight and altitude of the vacation spot make an already busy schedule harder. Placing in one other high quality efficiency beneath these circumstances would reveal resilience, a typical trait shared by all nice athletes.
The 2 groups will face off on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. EST on the Area Ciudad de Mexico.
