Wizards G Bilal Coulibaly to miss time after thumb surgery

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th September, 13:32 2025

Mar 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly is expected to miss some time at the start of the regular season following thumb surgery, ESPN reported Friday.

Coulibaly tore a ligament in his right thumb while playing with France in this summer's EuroBasket tournament, according to the report. France finished atop the Group D standings but was eliminated 80-70 by Georgia in the Round of 16.

In his second NBA season in 2024-25, Coulibaly averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 59 games (all starts) for the Wizards.

In two NBA seasons, after he was the No. 7 overall draft pick by Washington in 2023, he has averaged 10.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 122 games (74 starts).

--Field Level Media