Washington’s starting to see a sliver of light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly are about to hit the floor again, and that alone shifts the vibe around the franchise. After a December wrecked by injuries and losses, the Wizards are set to get two major pieces of their young puzzle back.
Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly are off the Wizards’ injury report and will be available to play in tomorrow’s game vs. San Antonio.
Middleton and Kispert remain out. Branham is questionable. pic.twitter.com/S24OaopGWk
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) December 17, 2025
Two absences that threw everything off
Without Sarr or Coulibaly, Washington often looked like a team stripped of its identity. Too brittle at the back, too soft in crunch time, couldn’t set a tempo or assert physicality. Sarr’s expected return on Thursday vs. the Spurs is a brutal reminder of what’s been missing. Size. Timing. Impact.
In 16 games this season the French center has proven to be more than a project. 19.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists in under 30 minutes, and his efficiency is clearly rising. His shooting development already tells a story. A player who learns fast, adapts, and reads the NBA game at full tilt.
Sarr, the quiet pillar of a fragile rebuild
What’s striking about Sarr isn’t just the stat line. It’s how he shapes the game without noise. His ability to protect the rim, to kick the ball out cleanly, to deter drives. Without him, the Wizards’ defense collapsed. With him, it breathes a little, even if the job ahead is massive.
Washington now has the worst defensive rating in the league. A number that stings. But it also adds context to how valuable the Frenchman’s return is. His impact won’t fix everything, but it’ll bring order where there was none.
Bilal, the other piece
Bilal Coulibaly’s case is different. Rougher. His season’s been chopped up, rhythm wrecked by nagging injuries. Just 12 games, shooting numbers in freefall, confidence wobbling. But his absence was obvious. Few players on this roster bring what he does: defensive versatility, energy, the ability to bother multiple positions.
Even when he’s struggling offensively, his activity matters. Steals. Close-outs. Runs in transition. In Washington they’re not asking him to be a consistent scorer yet — just a useful player. And when Coulibaly’s on, the Wizards are simply more alive.
A duo still too rare, but already essential
Sarr and Coulibaly have shared the floor only eight times this season. Eight small games for two players supposed to embody part of the franchise’s future. Their defensive fit intrigues. Their collective upside does too. Together they pile up blocks, steals and deterrence. Apart, Washington takes the hit.
Their return won’t magically turn the Wizards into a competitive team. But it gives direction. A base. A hint of continuity in a season that’s been splintered so far.
A modest hope, but a real one
In Washington they’ve learned to temper ambitions. It’s not about chasing the playoffs anymore. It’s about building something coherent. Getting the youngsters to really improve together. The return of Sarr and Coulibaly is exactly that.
This isn’t a promise of a winning streak. It’s better than that. A chance to find meaning, proper basketball, and maybe a little pride on the floor. For the Wizards, that’s already a lot.
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