Wizards’ Coulibaly Ready for Season Debut
Bilal Coulibaly, a forward for the Washington Wizards, has received medical clearance to make his much-anticipated regular season debut. Head coach Brian Keefe confirmed this development to reporters, indicating that Coulibaly will participate in the game scheduled for Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is significant news, given the player’s background and recent challenges.
Background on Coulibaly’s Injury
Drafted seventh overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Coulibaly faced a setback last month when he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. This injury occurred while he was competing for the French national team during EuroBasket 2025. Consequently, he missed the entire preseason and the first four games of this regular season.
Coulibaly’s Previous Performance
In his last season (2024/25), Coulibaly was a key contributor for the Wizards. He averaged:
- 12.3 points per game
- 5.0 rebounds per game
- 3.4 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
These statistics were achieved in an average of 33.0 minutes per game over 59 games. Though his shooting percentages of 42.1% from the field and 28.1% from beyond the arc dropped, his potential as a two-way player remains evident. Turning 21 in July, Coulibaly is still considered a developing talent.
Current Team Dynamics
As of now, the Wizards’ starting lineup includes Bub Carrington, CJ McCollum, Kyshawn George, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr. This group has recorded a net rating of -7.2 during 69 minutes of play together. It is uncertain how Coulibaly will fit back into the mix. He may either replace one of the starters or initially come off the bench.
Future Considerations
Coulibaly’s contract includes a rookie scale team option for the 2026/27 season. The Wizards are under pressure to make decisions by an impending deadline, with pundits expecting them to exercise the $9.24 million option for Coulibaly’s fourth year. This could solidify his role within the team as he returns to play.
