React, Worry, Cope, Repeat
Sometimes you just have to be upset. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do as fans when our favorite team is struggling or when a player gets injured, but it’s not a fun experience. So you just have to be upset about it.
I’m upset and worried about the number of injuries that the Washington Wizards have been dealing with since even before preseason started, especially since significant members of the team are likely to miss the preseason finale and the start of the regular season.
To recap, the Wizards’ roster is dealing with the following injuries:
Deni Avdija (F) – left groin strain.
Sometime over the summer, seemingly prior to competing for the Israeli national team in Eurobasket, Avdija injured his groin. He has not played in a preseason game for the Wizards so far and is unlikely to play in the preseason finale against the Knicks on Friday. Though he is practicing with the team and working his way to full form, this injury is still a major concern.
In an interview after Wednesday’s practice, Avdija detailed the severity of his injury, saying, “I played on pills with the national team to kill the pain. At the end of the championship, I was barely walking.”
As much as I would like to see Avdija play at least a few minutes in a preseason game, knowing how serious his injury was over the summer, I think it makes sense to have him rest until the regular season starts on the 19th. His rookie season was cut short due to injury, and I’d hate to see him start his third season in pain.
Deni Avijda, who wears number 8 with the Israeli national team, at Eurobasket this summer | Pedja Milosavljevic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Bradley Beal (G) – COVID health and safety protocols, non-COVID-related illness
On October 9, Beal entered the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols. Less than 24 hours later, Beal exited the protocols and was listed as “day-to-day with a non-COVID illness,” according to a post from the Wizards’ official Twitter account. Returning to the NBA from an injury that ended his 2021-22 season, the team has been monitoring Beal’s health throughout the preseason. He did not play on October 2 to rest.
While I’m relieved to hear that Beal doesn’t have COVID, it’s worth noting that he entered and exited the health and safety protocols very quickly. He could have had a false positive test result, but the Wizards have had a history of COVID outbreaks on the team, and the situation just seems to have resolved itself unusually quickly.
Corey Kispert (G) – left ankle sprain.
Kispert was on the floor for only four minutes in the Wizards’ second preseason game in Japan before he exited with an ankle sprain. Last week the team reported that Kispert would be out for four-to-six weeks, but he’s been photographed working out with the team during practices.
This is one of the most devastating injuries for the team right now. Kispert’s three-point shot is a much-needed asset for the Wizards, and he’s just really exciting to watch on the floor. Avdija and Kispert are two of my favorite players, so their injuries are especially upsetting.
Kristaps Porzingis (C) — left ankle sprain.
Porzingis, who shoots mostly three-pointers and can put points on the scoreboard for the team, also sprained his ankle in the preseason. He did not return in the game against Charlotte on Monday but also said that his injury is minor and wouldn’t keep him from playing in the regular season.
Vernon Carey Jr (C)– probable concussion.
The Wizards reported earlier in the week that the center, who impressed at Summer League, is in the NBA’s concussion protocols and is “listed as day-to-day.”
Johnny Davis (G) – knee tendinitis
Davis has not missed any preseason game appearances due to his injury, only a few practices, but this is still something to be concerned about. With Kispert out for the first few weeks of the season, the responsibility of backup shooting guard falls to Davis. Davis’ performances have left much to be desired since Summer League, and now is the time for him to start stepping up.
The Wizards can’t afford to lack shooting guards, and the Wizards, of course, aren’t the only team to carry the burden of injuries.
In OKC, Chet Holmgren will sit out the entirety of his debut NBA season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot. The Eastern Conference will also be lacking both Lonzo Ball in Chicago and LaMelo Ball in Charlotte. Lonzo was initially diagnosed with a meniscus tear, but things don’t seem to be improving. The oldest Ball brother says that running and jumping are difficult and painful. LaMelo also sprained his ankle in last Monday’s preseason game (that game was against the Wizards, making it a matchup of unfortunate ankle injuries) and is projected to miss a few games to start the regular season with a Grade Two ankle sprain (Zucker).
It’s just not fun for anyone when a player is missing games. It’s also not fun when a player is prone to injury. Every game poses a risk for someone getting hurt, whether it’s the regular season, preseason, Pro-Am, or something else, and I think it’s natural to worry more about players with a staggering injury history.
Anthony Davis, for example, has a lengthy injury timeline. I think his return to the court will make Lakers fans happy in the same way Kawhi Leonard returning from his ACL injury or Zion Williamson returning to the Pelicans roster brings competition to the Western Conference and hope to fans who have been missing their favorite players. Even though I’m not a Lakers fan, I still find myself thinking about Davis’s health regularly and hope he doesn’t get hurt again this season.
A healthy Kawhi Leonard (2) in Los Angeles against the Timberwolves in October | Raul Romero Jr./Associated Press
Best of luck to each team and organization going into the regular season, which begins tonight.
