Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Career-high 27 points vs. Hawks
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Coulibaly accumulated 27 points (11-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block over 34 minutes during Wednesday's 133-120 win over Atlanta.
Just two days after scoring a then career-best 23 points, Coulibaly surpassed that total with 27 points on just 14 field-goal attempts during Wednesday's win. The 2023 first-round pick began his rookie season on the bench, but he steadily saw his role increase and has continued to see more playing time and responsibilities early on in his sophomore year. Through the first four games of the 2024-25 regular season, Coulibaly is averaging 18.8 points on 59.1 percent shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 34.0 minutes per contest.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Team option picked up
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The Wizards exercised the 2025-26 team option on Coulibaly's contract Tuesday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
After a modest rookie season, Coulibaly is seeing an expanded role to start Year 2. Through three games, he's averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals while posting 50/36/81 shooting splits. With the transaction, Coulibaly is under contract through the 2025-26 campaign.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Pops for 23 points in loss
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Coulibaly had 23 points (9-16 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes during Saturday's 135-116 loss to the Cavaliers.
While Coulibaly scored only eight points on six shots in the season-opening loss to Boston, the second-year wing made his presence felt elsewhere. He grabbed six boards, dished out six assists and recorded a steal in 30 minutes. Coulibaly didn't have as good of a well-rounded game versus Cleveland, but he found his stroke from deep and was more assertive offensively, tying Kyle Kuzma with a team-high 16 shot attempts. This is an encouraging start for Coulibaly in fantasy, especially considering Washington's first two opponents are considered some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Good to go Thursday
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Coulibaly (finger) will play in Thursday's game against the Celtics, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Coulibaly missed Friday's preseason finale due to a sprained left index finger, but it sounds like his absence was mostly a precaution. There's no word of any restrictions heading into Opening Night. Coulibaly averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks across 27.2 minutes in 63 regular-season games last season, and he could be ready for a larger role in his second campaign, as he was a regular starter at shooting guard during the preseason.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Not playing in preseason finale
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Coulibaly (finger) is out for Friday's preseason game against the Knicks, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Coulibaly is dealing with a sprained left index finger, and it remains to be seen if the injury will allow him to be available for the regular-season opener against the Celtics next Thursday. If that's not the case, then Corey Kispert (back) and rookie Carlton Carrington would figure to see an uptick in playing time.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Ruled out Monday
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Coulibaly (finger) has been ruled out of Monday's preseason game versus the Nets.
Coulibaly is dealing with a left finger sprain, though he is not likely to miss time during the regular season. The 20-year-old's last chance to suit up during the preseason will come Friday against the Knicks.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Starts in first preseason game
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Coulibaly posted 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 24 minutes during Sunday's 125-98 preseason loss to the Raptors.
With Malcolm Brogdon (hand) unavailable, Coulibaly drew the start at shooting guard over Corey Kispert. Coulibaly's rookie season was a mixed bag, but he showed promise. Given the Wizards aren't expected to compete for a playoff spot this season, Coulibaly should get plenty of developmental minutes even if he struggles out of the gate in Year 2.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Posts 11 points against Germany
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Coulibaly notched 11 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and three rebounds across 23 minutes in France's 70-65 exhibition loss to Germany on Monday.
Coulibaly tied Nicolas Batum with a team-high 11 points in France's Olympic preparation game loss Monday. The 19-year-old missed the Wizards' last 15 games due to a right wrist injury, but he seems to be good to go for training camp as he plays for his home country in the offseason. Coulibaly averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks across 27.2 minutes in 63 regular-season games last season.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Season ends early
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The Wizards announced Monday that Coulibaly will miss the remainder of the season due to a right wrist fracture.
Coulibaly missed Sunday's 130-104 loss to the Celtics with what the Wizards had listed as a right wrist sprain, but follow-up tests apparently revealed a more serious injury. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will ultimately miss the final 15 games of the 2023-24, finishing his rookie campaign with averages of 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 27.2 minutes per contest over 63 appearances (15 starts) on 43.5 percent shooting from the field. The 19-year-old wing remains a raw prospect, and his efficiency progressively worsened throughout the course of the campaign as he took on added volume, but he has all the tools and a strong foundation to be a valuable wing in the league. Look for him to push for a regular 30-plus-minute role with Washington in 2024-25.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Won't play Sunday
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Coulibaly (wrist) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Celtics, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
Coulibaly and Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) have been downgraded from questionable to out and will join Landry Shamet (calf), Deni Avdija (knee) and Marvin Bagley (back) as inactive. Given all the absences, Patrick Baldwin, Jared Butler, Eugene Omoruyi and Johnny Davis are all candidates for increased roles.
Coulibaly supplied 11 points (3-12 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 109-97 loss to Memphis.
Coulibaly produced on both ends of the floor, albeit with some poor shooting thrown in. He remains a raw talent, especially on the offensive end. It makes sense for the Wizards to hand him a sizeable role down the stretch, making him worth a look in standard leagues.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Soaks up heavy minutes in return
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Coulibaly (pelvis) tallied seven points (2-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block across 33 minutes Monday in the Wizards' 127-115 loss to the Jazz.
Coulibaly took back a starting role and drew major minutes in his return from a three-game absence due to a right pelvic contusion, but a lowly 9.6 percent usage rate coupled with poor efficiency from the field resulted in a rather muted fantasy line for the rookie. Though the 19-year-old should get all the run he can handle over the final month of the regular season, he'll likely need to ramp up his usage before warranting more attention in 12-team leagues.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Not on injury report
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Coulibaly (pelvis) isn't listed on Washington's injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Jazz.
Coulibaly returned to practice Sunday and will end his three-game absence Monday. The rookie carved out a large role in February, averaging 7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.0 minutes over nine appearances (five starts) before suffering the pelvis injury.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Ramping up
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Coulibaly (pelvis) was active at practice Sunday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
The extent to which Coulibaly practiced Sunday is unspecified, but the 19-year-old appears to be on the mend from a bruised right pelvis which has cost him Washington's past three games. Monday against Utah represents his next opportunity to take the court.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Remains out Friday
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Coulibaly (pelvis) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Clippers.
Coulibaly will miss a third straight game due to a right pelvic contusion. Landry Shamet should continue to start, while Corey Kispert sees increased playing time off the bench. Coulibaly's next chance to suit up will come Monday in Utah.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Won't return Sunday
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Coulibaly is out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cavaliers due to a right pelvis contusion.
Coulibaly take a hard fall early in the first quarter and stayed in the game momentarilly before eventually making his way to the bench. The rookie was ruled out shortly thereafter, finishing the game with three points, one rebound and one assist in five minutes. His status for Wednesday's matchup with the Warriors is now in question.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Decent output in blowout loss
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Coulibaly had 11 points (4-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals across 31 minutes during Friday's 147-106 loss to Oklahoma City.
Coulibaly has started in each of Washington's last three games, and there's a strong chance he'll stay in that role for the foreseeable future given Washington's rebuilding process and the fact they've gone 9-47 this season. Coulibaly has shown flashes of his talent and the ability to stuff the stat sheet when given extended minutes, something that was noticeable in this loss as well. He's averaging 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game when deployed in a starting role.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Starting Thursday
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Coulibaly will replace Jordan Poole in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Nuggets.
Poole is getting benched, and with the Wizards sitting on a record of 9-45, it's possible this could be a change that sticks to give Coulibaly some developmental minutes over the second half of the season. Coulibaly offers decent upside as a producer of defensive stats, so he's worth a speculative add in most leagues. Joining him in the first unit for Thursday's game will be Deni Avdija, Tyus Jones, Kyle Kuzma and Marvin Bagley.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Nabs another start
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Coulibaly will start Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.
Coulibaly steps into the place of Kyle Kuzma, who's sidelined due to illness. In four starts this season, Coulibaly is averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 combined steals/blocks.
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Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Back to second unit
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Coulibaly will move back to the bench for Saturday's game against the 76ers.
Marvin Bagley (back) is returning from his injury and will jump back into the starting five. Despite the move to the bench, Coulibaly figures to play a key role the rest of the season. He had a terrific showing Friday against the Celtics, scoring 21 points (6-18 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 5-5 FT) with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals over 33 minutes.
