Washington Wizards small forward Deni Avdija (ankle) managed to escape serious injury on Wednesday and is expected to play Friday night against Chicago. The talented Israeli left the team's season opener against Indiana with an ankle sprain. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative and Avdija himself even admitted after the game that he was ready to close out the game if needed. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has now said that he expects Avdija to be available on Friday and start again. Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is fine as well for Friday after playing through an ankle sprain on Wednesday.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (ankle) is believed to have avoided serious injury. The X-rays on his ankle came back negative, so it's believed to be a sprained right ankle. He could still miss time, but it's not expected to be a significant absence. Will Barton is likely to benefit the most in the absence of Avdija. The two of them will likely split up the small forward role this season. Barton could have some increased value with Avdija likely to miss a little time.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (groin) didn't suit up for Monday's preseason contest against the Charlotte Hornets. However, Avdija has been able to get through some 3-on-3 workouts over the last few days. It sounds like he's making progress, but it's uncertain if he'll be ready in time for opening day. He'll need to compete with Will Barton for playing time at small forward. At the moment, it sounds like Barton has the edge over Avdija for the job, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too eager to roster Avdija.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (quad) was unable to play his normal role during Tuesday's win over the Detroit Pistons. He exited in the first quarter after taking a knee to his quad. The second-year forward later returned in the second quarter. Sadly, his night would come to an end shortly after his return. Avdija finished the game with two points, four rebounds, and two assists in nine minutes. Tomas Satoransky played minutes in the teens during his team debut and that could be the case again if Avdija misses time. However, Satoransky won't be worth a look unless a low-end streaming option in deep leagues. Fantasy managers should get another update on Avdija on Wednesday.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija racked up his first double-double since November in Monday's 103-94 win over the Detroit Pistons. He shot 4-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free throw strike on the way to 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. He hit one three-pointer and also had three assists and a steal. The 21-year-old has been playing about 25 minutes per game in February. He's shown some growth in his second year in the NBA, but has yet to prove he has much to offer from a fantasy perspective. After a day off on Tuesday, Avdija and the Wizards will be back in action against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija will move into the starting five for Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. He will replace Corey Kispert who shifts back to the bench and loses most of his streaming appeal. The Wizards could use Avdija's playmaking abilities with the team being shorthanded on guards. That being said, Avdija is looking like a strong streaming option and DFS choice for Monday's slate.

Washington Wizards small forward Deni Avdija has been bumped into the starting five for Tuesday's contest against the Heat. Aaron Holiday had started each of the prior two outings without Bradley Beal (health and safety protocols) in the mix, but Avdija now joins Corey Kispert as a recent addition to the starting lineup. Avdija's two prior starts this season saw him go for four points each time out, although the team's widespread absences Tuesday indicate that he should garner a larger minutes allotment. While the 20-year-old has improved his shooting percentage this season (45.9%), he has logged double-digit shot attempts in just three of his first 33 outings. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma also stand out as upside DFS plays so long as Beal is sidelined.

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija could be looking at an increased role in the rotation. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned that he believes in Avdija defensively and wants him to be on the floor. Avdija is averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals over his last three games. It's a small sample size, but the Wizards see big things coming from Avdija. His value is certainly on the rise and he is someone worth monitoring in fantasy formats.

Washington Wizards small/power forward Deni Avdija (illness) and point/shooting guard Aaron Holiday (illness) have both been listed as questionable to suit up for Friday's contest against the Cavaliers. Avdija is yet to miss a game this season, having served as an integral member of the team's second unit. Holiday has already missed one game due to the illness, with his minutes wildly fluctuating during November. Neither player has been a consistent source of scoring this season, but their absence from the second unit could funnel more offensive duties in the direction of Davis Bertans and Raul Neto if they're ultimately ruled out. Check back prior to tip-off for the final word.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first topic raised with Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard the day after the team's season ended was the topic that will hang over the offseason until a decision is announced: Will coach Scott Brooks be back? “We're not doing anything about that today,” Sheppard replied during a video conference with reporters on Thursday, before praising Brooks for “keeping this team together through some of the most difficult, dark moments probably in franchise history.” Not surprisingly, Brooks said he wants to return; his five-year, $35 million contract is expiring. “I wouldn’t want to move on,” he said. “I love it here. I love the city.” It was, to be sure, a trying season for the Wizards, who started 0-5 along the way to 17-32 in early April. They dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak that put them on a two-week hiatus without games or practices plus had to find replacements after season-ending injuries to starting center Thomas Bryant and first-round draft pick Deni... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards rookie forward Deni Avdija will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right leg. The Wizards said that an MRI exam Thursday showed Avdija has a hairline fracture of his right fibula. The team said the 20-year-old from Israel does not need surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in about three months. Washington's regular-season finale is May 16. The first-round draft pick was hurt and taken off the court in a wheelchair during Washington’s 118-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Avdija landed awkwardly after missing a layup late in the second quarter. He lay on the floor for several minutes and teammate Jordan Bell came off the bench to cover his lower leg with a jersey. Washington selected Avdija with the ninth overall pick in last year’s NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 small forward has been starting for the Wizards and is averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. He's the second starter Washington lost to injury this season: Center Thomas Bryant tore the ACL in his left knee. Washington is on a season-high six-game winning streak and in the race for a play-in berth in the Eastern Conference heading into Friday's game at the Oklahoma City Thunder. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards rookie Deni Avdija suffered a serious-looking injury to his right ankle and was taken from the court in a wheelchair during Washington's 118-114 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night. Avdija landed awkwardly after missing a layup late in the second quarter. He lay on the floor for several minutes and teammate Jordan Bell came off the bench to cover his lower leg with a jersey. Wizards employees carefully helped Avdija into the wheelchair and he was taken off the court while rubbing his head with a towel. Washington selected the 20-year-old Avdija out of his native Israel with the ninth pick in last year's draft. The 6-foot-9 small forward is averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. Coach Scott Brooks said he wasn't sure whether Avdija would be able to return this season. “I'm hoping for the best," Brooks said. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards rookie Deni Avdija suffered a serious-looking injury to his lower right leg and was taken from the court in a wheelchair Wednesday night. Avdija landed awkwardly after missing a layup late in the second quarter against Golden State. He lay on the floor for several minutes and teammate Jordan Bell came off the bench to cover his lower leg with a jersey. Wizards employees carefully helped Avdija into the wheelchair and he was taken off the court while rubbing his head with a towel. Washington selected the 20-year-old Avdija out of his native Israel with the ninth pick in last year's draft. The 6-foot-9 small forward is averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds this season. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura will miss roughly the first three weeks of the NBA season with an eye infection commonly known as pink eye. The team announced Monday Hachimura had bilateral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, or EKC, two days before Washington's scheduled season opener at Philadelphia. Hachimura was diagnosed last week and missed Washington’s final two preseason games. "The eye doctor said it’s a severe case, and we just have to be patient," coach Scott Brooks said after practice Monday. “Just going to monitor him day to day. He’s out for some time now. Blurred vision, sensitive to light. Other than that, he’s getting better. Just going to take some time.” The Wizards play their first 10 games of the shortened 72-game season over the next three weeks. Russell Westbrook is expected to make his Washington debut against the 76ers after an offseason trade that sent John Wall to Houston. Hachimura averaged 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 48 games during his rookie season... [More]