The Washington Wizards have officially played the first 41 games of their 82-game season. It’s been an up-and-down ride so far, no doubt. From surprising risers to a January blockbuster, the Wizards have been a real franchise to watch heading into the end of the season. Let’s dive into the Washington midseason review, going over team leaders, team outlook, and team stats from the first half of the season.
Wizards Mid-Season Review: Stats, Young Core, And Outlook
While still not great, Washington has shown real promise for what’s to come during the first half of their 2025-26 campaign. It hasn’t been all surprises, but overall, it’s been an eye-opening experience and a wake-up call to the rest of the league that the young Wizards are here.
First Half Stats
Diving into the first half of the season, there are a few things worth looking at. While still ranking towards the bottom in a majority of stats, there are a few worth mentioning, both being offensive percentages. Last season, the Wizards were 29th in the league in three-point percentage; this season, they’ve jumped to 17th. Effective field goal percentage has also seen a slight jump compared to the league, going from 28th to 22nd. However, don’t let that fool you.
They still have the worst +/- in the league at -11.2, which is still better than last season (-12.4). Additionally, the team has struggled to keep the ball, registering 15.6 turnovers a game. These numbers will only continue to grow in the second half of the season, and the team may be hard to watch offensively.
Defensively, Alex Sarr leads the league in blocks with 2.2 a game, while the team ranks third league-wide. However, Washington still has a 120.9 defensive ranking, putting them 29th. That number is partly because the team doesn’t rebound well. A 67% defensive rebounding percentage means plenty of second-chance points, with Washington having a league-worst 17.3 second-chance points per game on defense.
At the midway point, D.C sits 14th in the Eastern Conference and 28th in the league. Overall, both sides of the ball are still bad, but it’s more about slowly getting better, which they’ve done in spurts.
Washington’s Core Is Shaping
Washington is young, having only two rostered players over 30, Khris Middleton and Anthony Gill. Currently, the Wizards are tied for the youngest team in the league with an average age of 23.8 years old. 10 of Washington’s players have been drafted since the 2023 NBA Draft. However, out of those 10 guys, the core can be seen from miles away. Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson will be the franchise’s cornerstones heading into the next era of the team. These guys, by far, have been three of the best players on the court every night.
Sarr is their defensive anchor. While averaging the most blocks in the league, he’s also increased his scoring and shooting splits, averaging the most points on the team with 16.9 points on 50.5% from the field. He’s been an elite two-way threat this season and has cemented himself as one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference.
George has been a real treat this season. He exploded onto the scene after an average rookie campaign and is D.C’s do-it-all talent. He’s averaging the most assists on the team as a forward (4.9), second-most on the team in points (15.4), all while being a defensive menace. A true all-around talent, George is destined to become a franchise great if he can keep up the excellent play.
Johnson has come on strong after an up-and-down start this season. If there is one thing Johnson can provide, it’s his shooting and scoring. His potential has flashed a few times this season, and it’s certainly something to monitor as he grows older. He’ll need to become a better playmaker, but just like Sarr and George, he’s only in his rookie season and will certainly grow with the developing talent around him.
The Wizards’ core starts with these three. However, there are more names worth mentioning. The defensive unit that is Bilal Coulibaly could stick around. Cam Whitmore’s potential shouldn’t go unmentioned. Obviously, Trae Young will be the core leader, barring he doesn’t sign an extension.
However, the team will be competing in due time. With that, those unproven talents will have to work overtime to prove they belong in Washington’s future. Some role pieces have already begun to settle, which means there aren’t many more spots open in D.C moving forward.
Team Outlook
Current Record: 10-31
Estimated Record At End Of Season: 18-64
Washington isn’t just young, but rebuilding and getting younger. Middleton will find himself a new home by the offseason, and Gill could be out of the league entirely. Currently 10-31, the Wizards have found themselves right where they want to be, with a top-eight pick almost secured for the 2026 NBA Draft. More losing is certainly in store, but for how much longer?
This season was all about next season. The Wizards have the 15th hardest schedule remaining, according to Tankathon. With that, tank as much as possible in hopes that the lottery finally pays off. One more solid rookie could grant a postseason push as soon as next season. Young will headline a cast of young and hungry players looking to finally get their first look at an NBA postseason. Keep losing, and let the young guys get all the reps possible.
By the beginning of next season, Washington’s lineup will be strong. Young and Whitmore will (hopefully) be fully healthy. Sarr and George will be entering year three of their NBA careers, manning the defensive side of the floor with Coulibaly. Bub Carrington and Justin Champagnie will headline a fast-paced, offensive-minded bench unit, including their draft pick.
The Last Word
Heading into the latter half of the season, expect two things. First, Washington continues to lose, letting young talent play and get reps to better the depth going into next season. Secondly, watch for players to slowly separate themselves from the pack. With this being the last real rebuild season, shifts and changes will come in the offseason as the team prepares to compete with Young. Every player will have to prove their worth, and it’s really going to become a dog-eats-dog world in the nation’s capital.
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