Late in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic, a potential nightmare scenario for the Washington Wizards became a reality. Down seven with just over two minutes to go, Trae Young turned the ball over, leading to a Magic fast break. It was a situation eerily similar to so many a year ago: Washington allowed the second-most transition points in basketball last season.
In a critical moment, the Wizards’ past demons seemed to haunt them. And yet, in the game’s most important moment, the team rallied.
Up-and-coming Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson leapt in front of a Franz Wagner drive, cutting him off. And AJ Dybantsa dove over a ball screen to pressure Desmond Bane, forcing him to give it up. The possession ended in a steal by Dybantsa, sealing the team’s fourth win.
Washington’s defense has taken a huge leap so far this season, rising from the worst defensive rating in NBA history to eighth in the league. From key veteran additions to improvements from their youth, the unit looks completely rejuvenated.
With the Wizards continuing to get healthier and their young stars finding their fit, there’s still room to grow for one of the NBA’s best surprises.
Washington is exceeding expectations-without being fully healthy
Coming into the season, there was always potential for Washington's defense to take a big step, given the influx of talent.
Adding Dybantsa, a player whose length and size offered lots of promise on the defensive end, and Davis, a perennial All-Defensive Team member, was sure to help this unit. So far this season, though, they’ve been great without getting the most out of either player.
Dybantsa missed four games earlier this season with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason. In his return, he has operated under a minutes restriction, despite flashes of brilliance.
Davis’s impact, on the other hand, has been limited by the role he has been forced to play, in the absence of Alex Sarr. The big man has been consistently asked to guard some of the league’s skilled bigs on the perimeter, instead of operating as a traditional rim protector as usual. He’s averaging career lows in rim contests and blocks per 100 possessions.
When both players have been able to fulfill their preferred roles, the Wizards’ defense statistically makes gains. With Davis, Sarr, and Dybantsa all on the floor together, the team has a defensive rating of 96.3. By re-integrating standout defenders, Washington can raise their ceiling as a defense beyond this promising start.
Even without Dybantsa and Sarr, the youth have taken big steps
Washington is certainly a better defense with their star youth on the floor. But in comparison to the disarray of last year’s unit, they’ve made real improvements, even without the two young players in the lineup.
Kyshawn George has taken a real leap on the defensive end after struggling a year ago. His size and length make him a difficult matchup for any guard on the perimeter and allow him to switch onto bigger forwards.
Justin Champagnie has become a vital piece of the rotation as well. The wing has shown he can be a force on the glass, averaging 7.5 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. Like George, his tenacity on-ball makes him a positive for Washington.
Combined with Bilal Coulibaly, who is experiencing a slow start to the year but is a proven commodity defensively, the Wizards have developed a versatile defense that should only continue to grow. Coulibaly and George are 22, and Champagnie is 25, leaving room for development.
If Washington’s core continues to rise to the challenge, this unit should have a high floor, even without Dybantsa and Sarr in the lineup.
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