The Washington Wizards start to the season has been more than just disappointing. Washington sits towards the bottom of the league with a 2-11 record.
Despite their rough start to the season, the Wizards have been able to get a glimpse of their young promising players in what many would consider a key year in their rebuild. Obviously the Wizards don't have a player on their squad currently (yet) that can completely turn around the franchise, however, they do have players on the roster that could serve a big role to the teams rebuild.
One of those players this season has been Bilal Coulibaly. The second-year guard has shown nothing but promise in his second season with the team, and everything seemed to be trending in the right direction for the French product before he suffered an injury in the team's matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
What is Coulibaly's injury?
Coulibaly was struck in the upper lip by an opposing player's elbow during Sunday's matchup vs. Detroit. Following the injury, Coulibaly was held out of the team's Monday night matchup against the New York Knicks.
It was later released that Coulibaly was being treated for a concussion and was currently placed in the concussion protocol To return to play, the guard will have to pass protocol in order to return to the floor and show the Wizards and their medical team that he will be able to return and contribute at the same level he was before.
That said, it's still undetermined when Coulibaly will be eligible to return back to action. However, there is some good news on the return front.
When will Coulibaly return?
Coulibaly hasn't been cleared for a return yet, but the 20-year-old has taken the proper steps to get back on the floor sooner rather than later.
The Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly is in the NBA's concussion protocol, team sources told @TheAthleticNBA. Coulibaly was elbowed in the upper lip in a game Sunday and was held out of Monday's game. In welcome news, Coulibaly was a "full participant" in practice today, per coach Brian…
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) November 21, 2024
Following reports on Thursday, Coulibaly was a full participant in the Wizards practice ahead of their matchup against the defending champions on Friday. The two-way playmaker being able to practice in full is a huge step in the right direction which could lead to the team giving him a chance to suit up against the Boston Celtics.
In the midst of a career year averaging 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 55.4% from field goal range and 37.1% from beyond the arc, his prescense on the floor for Washington would be an immediate boost.
While it's too early to know for sure, there seems to be some optimism that Coulibaly could be set to return soon.