Wizards Defensive Anchors Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly Hit the Game-Time Decision Roulette
Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly are game-time decisions for Wednesday's matchup against the Hawks, leaving the Wizards' defense and fantasy lineups in limbo.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 2 min read
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The Washington Wizards might actually have to play defense with vibes alone on Wednesday night. Head coach Brian Keefe just dropped the dreaded double game-time decision tag on Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly ahead of their matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.
If you have money tied up in this game or a daily fantasy lineup hanging in the balance, you are officially on injury report watch. Losing one of these guys is a headache. Losing both means the Wizards are basically rolling out a red carpet to the rim for Atlanta.
"Status alert: Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly are game-time decisions Wednesday, per coach Keefe."
Sarr has been an absolute menace in the paint this season. The big man is currently leading the entire league with 4.0 blocks per game, swatting shots into the third row like he is personally offended by the concept of layups. He recently dropped a career-high six blocks in a single game, proving he is the only thing keeping the Washington interior from turning into a layup line.
Then you have Coulibaly, who has been dealing with the kind of injury luck that makes you want to burn sage in the locker room. Between recovering from summer thumb surgery, a calf contusion, and recent lower back tightness, the guy cannot catch a break. When he actually plays, he is a massive problem for the Hawks, averaging 26.7 fantasy points against them over their last four meetings.
The Wizards are somehow sitting at 4-3 and fourth in the Eastern Conference, which sounds like a typo but is actually real life. A huge part of that early-season mirage is the defensive identity Sarr and Coulibaly bring to the floor. Without them, Washington is just a collection of guys running fast and hoping for the best.
We will not know if either guy is lacing them up until right before the 7:00 PM tip-off. Until then, keep your betting slips in your drafts and prepare for the very real possibility that the Wizards have to defend the Hawks with hopes and prayers.
Key stats
Key statsAlex Sarr leads the NBA with 4.0 blocks per game.
Bilal Coulibaly averages 26.7 fantasy points against the Hawks over their last four meetings.
The Washington Wizards hold a 4-3 record to start the season.
What's next
Fantasy managers and bettors will have to wait until right before the 7:00 PM tip-off to see if Washington's defensive duo is cleared to play against Atlanta.
