Washington Wizards forward Bilal Koulibaly has been cleared to debut in the 2025-26 season. Wizards coach Brian Keefe said Wednesday that Koulibaly will play in Thursday’s road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Bilal Koulibaly enters third NBA season
Koulibaly was immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers after being selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-8 wing spent the past two seasons of his career with the Wizards.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Koulibaly underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was injured while playing for the French national team at the European Basketball Championship and missed the entire preseason except for the first four games of the regular season.
Bilal Koulibaly spoke to the media ahead of his season debut:
– I feel like he’s in good shape
– His left hand does a lot of work
– Indicates that the team can put more pressure on the ball carrier and he can provide that pressureHe also said he will be wearing the bag for much of the season. pic.twitter.com/A0dvB2fjRv
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) October 29, 2025
Koulibaly served as a full-time starter for the Wizards last season, averaging 33 minutes per game in 59 games, scoring a career-high 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Through four regular-season games, Washington used a starting five of Booboo Carrington, C.J. McCollum, Keshawn George, Khris Middleton and Alex Sarr.
It’s unclear whether Keefe plans to insert Koulibaly into the starting lineup. It’s possible that the 21-year-old will come off the bench like he did during his rookie season in 2023-24.
Wizards may move Koulibaly to second unit
Depending on George’s current performance, Koulibaly may start his third season as a substitute.
As a full-time starter, George played 33 minutes per game, scoring a career-high 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks. His field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage reached career highs of 53.7% and 53.8% respectively.
Koulibaly is one of six players in Washington to sign a contract that includes a rookie-sized team option for 2026-27, according to Spotrac. The Wizards have until Friday’s deadline to make a decision on those options.
Wizards forward Keyshawn George scored a career-high 26 points tonight against Dallas (previously against Phoenix on January 16, 2025).#ForTheDistrict
— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) October 25, 2025
Four games into the 2205-26 season, Washington was 1-3.
Last season, the Wizards started with 2 wins and 2 losses, then suffered a 16-game losing streak. They finished 18-64 and ranked 15th in the Eastern Conference.
Brian Keefe, who served as interim head coach after Wes Unseld Jr. was fired last season, was named the 26th head coach in Wizards history in May 2024.
