Bilal Coulibaly (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly will miss 3-to-5 weeks with a slightly torn oblique, league sources told RG.org, sidelining one of the franchise’s most important young defenders during a stretch where his role had been steadily expanding.
Coulibaly has averaged 8.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 12 games this season, continuing to show defensive flashes that have long fueled Washington’s belief in his long-term ceiling. The injury marks another setback for the 21-year-old, who has now missed time in each of his first three seasons.
A Breakout Defensive Stretch Interrupted
Before the injury, Coulibaly had delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances of the Wizards’ season, helping hold former NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in check during a Dec. 1 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He finished with three steals, constant pressure, and the highlight of the night — a strip that led to an and-one, one-handed slam.
“It was easy to do my thing,” Coulibaly said after the win. “I had to be really physical.”
Washington head coach Brian Keefe said Coulibaly’s defensive imprint shaped the entire game.
“His imprint on the game, all over the place defensively … made the big play late, but he did it from the very beginning,” Keefe said.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers credited Coulibaly’s length and relentlessness afterward.
“They are a young team that has no fear,” Rivers said. “They have no pressure on them with their record, so they just come out playing. If a team like that gets close, they’ll beat you.”
Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points, but he fought through a night of frustration as Coulibaly repeatedly forced tough shots.
“Basically, this morning (at shootaround) they just told me to do whatever I wanted, just stop him,” Coulibaly said. “So, I did whatever I wanted.”
That early block on Antetokounmpo also marked the 100th of Coulibaly’s career, making him the fourth player in franchise history to reach that milestone at age 21 or younger.
Why the Wizards Value Him So Highly
When new general manager Will Dawkins traded up one spot to draft Coulibaly in 2023, the plan was clear: build around a young wing who could become a defensive cornerstone.
So far, Coulibaly has delivered on that front. He has already held opposing top options in check — including limiting Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, a 23-point-per-game scorer, to a season-low seven points last week.
His defense stands out on a Washington team that ranks last in the NBA in defensive rating. Even as the Wizards work through a rebuild, Coulibaly’s activity, versatility, and physicality consistently give them something to anchor around.
Offensive Growth, Still in Progress
Coulibaly’s offensive game remains a work in progress. He’s shooting 28% from three this season and has experienced inconsistency, including a 0-of-5 start in the Milwaukee game before finishing 3-of-9 overall. Still, the Wizards view his development holistically.
Dawkins has said repeatedly that Coulibaly is “still a few years away” from reaching his prime, and the franchise continues to value his improving playmaking — including multiple games with four or more assists.
Through 11 games before his latest outing, he was averaging 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks in over 30 minutes per game.
Availability Remains the Question
This injury adds to a growing list of physical setbacks for the third-year forward. Season-ending injuries cut short each of his first two NBA seasons, and he had already missed eight games this year before the oblique issue.
Now the Wizards will again be without one of their best defenders while they navigate a demanding stretch of the schedule, beginning with a road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Coulibaly did not play in Washington’s first matchup with Philadelphia on Oct. 28.
The Wizards remain committed to Coulibaly’s long-term development, but for now, one of their most impactful two-way players will spend the next several weeks recovering — and Washington will feel his absence immediately.
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