The wait is over. Guard Trae Young is expected to make his Washington Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz.
The Oklahoma product alluded to the news on Instagram, posting a photo of himself in Wizards gear with the caption “3/5,” referring to Thursday’s date.
While he has yet to play a game with the team, Young has already been ejected from one.
Young was ejected Monday night from the Wizards’ game against the Houston Rockets when he left the bench and walked onto the court to complain to a referee. Young was then kicked out during a confrontation between Houston’s Tari Eason and Washington’s Jamir Watkins, with Eason also getting ejected.
“Don’t expect me to get ejected too many more times D.C.,” Young wrote on X, adding a crying emoji , “but I’m definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I’m back for my brothers!”
The four-time All-Star has not played since the Atlanta Hawks traded him to Washington in January. A quad contusion and MCL strain kept him on the bench.
Young averaged 19.3 points per game with 8.9 assists in limited playing time this season. He has posted at least 10 assists per game in each of the last three seasons.
The Wizards sent Corey Kispert and C.J. McCollum to Atlanta in the exchange, which many NBA analysts considered low-risk and high-reward for Washington.
Wizards coach Brian Keefe noted Monday that Young was trending toward playing in Thursday’s game. The point guard will be on a minutes restriction as he works his way into Washington’s lineup, Keefe said.
Anthony Davis will not join Young on the court on Thursday. The Wizards acquired Davis through a trade with the Dallas Mavericks last month, but the 10-time All-Star is still recovering from ligament damage in his hand. The team previously announced plans to reevaluate the five-time All-NBA player next week.
The Wizards entered Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets with a 16-43 record, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.