The Washington Wizards fans will finally get to see Trae Young in uniform. It has been a long time coming — nearly two months after the Wizards acquired the four-time all-star from Atlanta — but Young is slated to make his debut on Thursday against the Utah Jazz at home.
“Washington Wizards star Trae Young will make his team debut on Thursday against the Utah Jazz at home,” per Shams Charania of ESPN.
When Will Trae Young Make Debut For Wizards & What Does It Mean, Plus, Other Key Injury Updates
Young has only played in 10 games this year due to injuries. The 27-year-old guard appeared in the first five games for the Hawks, but suffered a sprained right MCL in the first quarter of that contest. He would miss 22 games before returning in mid-December.
Young played 20 minutes in his return on December 18. While the 27-year-old sat out Atlanta’s game on December 19, as it was the second of a back-to-back, he would play in the Hawks’ four subsequent games, though the lingering effects of the MCL sprain hampered him. To complicate things further, a quad bruise developed in December, leading to recurring discomfort and reduced availability.
Young hasn’t played since. Young was, of course, traded to the Wizards for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum on January 9. Kispert and McCollum have played well for the Hawks, who are 13-9 since the trade. Meanwhile, the Wizards are 6-18 post-trade.
Young has struggled this year and will be on a minute restriction, perhaps for the rest of the season. T’he Theguard averages 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, and 2.6 turnovers in 28 minutes per contest. He has knocked down just 1.8 threes and produced three double-doubles with shooting splits of 41.5/30.5/86.3.
“Brian Keefe just said the expectation is that Trae Young will play 17 to 20 minutes when Young makes his Wizards debut,” The Athletic’s Josh Robbins tweeted last night.
© Geoff Burke, Imagn Images
What Will Trae Young’s Role Be With The Wizards This Season?
While the original plan was for Young to play on Thursday, his debut may be delayed until at least Sunday in New Orleans or later. Young got ejected in Washington’s 118 home loss to Houston and is subject to a one-game suspension and a $50,000 fine for feigning the Wizards’ bench during tonight’s altercation. The Wizards’ game on Sunday against the Pelicans begins a four-game road trip, and they won’t return home until March 16.
According to Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network, Young walked onto the floor during a spat between Jamir Watkins and Tari Eason, and referee Jacyn Goble called a foul or technical foul against the Rockets.
Eason was also ejected after receiving two techicals, one for shoving Watkins, and Watkins also received a tech.
“I was actually proud of him [Young] because he stuck up for his teammates, and I really care about that type of stuff,” Keefe said following the game.
Washington has no interest in winning games this year. The Wizards are desperate to keep their top-8 protected 2026 first-round draft pick. So, Young will be eased back into playing shape over the Wizards’ remaining 22 contests.
The Wizards fell to 16-44 on the season following their 123-118 loss to Houston tonight. The Wizards, who have lost five straight and 10 of their last 14, own the fourth-worst record in the NBA. They would need to add at least nine more victories to the ledger over the last month-plus of the season to come close to falling out of the bottom eight positions.
Young Expected To Sign Extension This Summer
Expect Young to come off the bench, though it is possible Keefe could start him. Keefe has used 31 different starting lineups this year. He has gone with Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson as his starting backcourt. Both players need to continue to develop. They should continue to start, initially excited because we know what he’s capable of,” Bilal Coulibaly said about playing with Young. “He’s going to make everything easier for us, so we really can’t wait for him to get out there.”
Since the Wizards’ for Young and Anthony Davis were never for this season, the upcoming offseason is their top priority. The Wizards have 13 players under contract for 2026-27 with salaries totaling $172.4 million. There is some flexibility with Young ($48.9 million) and D’Angelo Russell ($5.9 million) owning player options. Justin Champaignie‘s ($2.6 million) contract is nonguaranteed.
Speaking of Young, he is expected to sign a contract extension this summer. NBA Insider Marc Stein said yesterday that Young and the Wizards are slated to agree to a three-year extension worth around $120 million.
Wizards Other Injuries
Washington has several players dealing with injuries. The Wizards had just 10 players available against the Wizards, and Kyshawn George left midway through the third quarter with a left elbow strain. He is likely to be listed as questionable for the game in Orlando, but don’t expect the 22-year-old to play. As a player with an elbow strain generally misses about out 1two 2ks.
Trae Young: Won’t play against the Magic. Could the Wizards convince the league to allow serving the suspension against Orlando even though he wasn’t slated to return to the court today anyway? Gill: Sat out the Rockets game due to an illness. Will likely be listed as at least questionable for tonight.
Tristan Vukevic: Sat out last night with a thigh injury after being originally listed as questionable. He is expected to be listed as questionable for tonight.
Leaky Black: Has only appeared in one game for the Wizards since inking a two-way deal. He is dealing with an ankle injury, so a questionable tag against the Magic is the best-case scenario.
D’Angelo Russell: Remains away from the team, non-injury related. His future with the franchise is in doubt.
Alex Sarr: Is out for the Orlando game and hasn’t played since February 8 due to a hamstring injury. Sarr has not been on the court and is likely out for the foreseeable future. Considered week-to-week.
Anthony Davis: Expected to be re-evaluated around March 12 due to a finger injury. The earliest that Davis is expected to return is April 1, as he has not played since January 8.
Cam Whitmore: Out for the season.