Wizards’ Rising Star Bilal Coulibaly Faces Uncertain Season Start After Mysterious Thumb Surgery

The Washington Wizards are staring down the barrel of a tough start to the 2025-26 season without Bilal Coulibaly, one of their most promising young talents. At just 21, Coulibaly suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb, necessitating surgery that will sideline him as the NBA gears up for tipoff. It’s a frustrating setback, especially considering he got hurt while representing France at the intense FIBA EuroBasket tournament, where his team exited earlier than hoped after a disappointing 80-70 loss to Georgia. Though the exact moment of injury remains a bit of a mystery, we can’t help but wonder how much this ailment held him back during the competition, given his mere 6.3 points average. Last season, Coulibaly was carving out a solid role for the Wizards — averaging 12.3 points, 5 boards, and 3.4 assists per game — until injuries limited him to 59 games. Now, with his absence looming, fresh faces like Cam Whitmore and Kyshawn George might just step up and claim the spotlight. This isn’t just a player down; it’s a shift in opportunity, strategy, and possibly the Wizards’ trajectory early on. LEARN MORE

The Washington Wizards will be without one of their top young players to begin the 2025-26 season.

Bilal Coulibaly sustained a torn ligament in his right thumb and underwent surgery to repair the injury, the team announced on Friday. He is expected to be sidelined at the start of the NBA regular season.

Coulibaly, 21, suffered the injury while playing for France in the FIBA EuroBasket tournament. France was eliminated from the competition with an 80-70 loss to Georgia on Sunday. He went scoreless in the defeat.

When exactly Coulibaly was injured isn’t clear. However, he averaged 6.3 points during EuroBasket play, so it’s possible the thumb issue affected his performance.

Last season for the Wizards, Coulibaly averaged 12.3 points, 5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Wizards, shooting 28% on 3-pointers. He was limited to 59 games due to a concussion and strained right hamstring.

Coulibaly’s absence could create more opportunity for new acquisition Cam Whitmore, who scored 9.4 points per game and shot 36% on 3s for the Houston Rockets last season. Second-year guard Kyshawn George, who averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds, and shot 32% from long range, could also benefit.

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A 6-foot-8 small forward, Coulibaly was a 2023 first-round pick (No. 7 overall) by the Indiana Pacers and was subsequently traded as part of a three-team deal involving the Wizards and Phoenix Suns that also sent Chris Paul to Washington, Bradley Beal to the Suns and first-round selection Jarace Walker to Indiana.

(Paul was subsequently traded to the Golden State Warriors in a deal that sent Jordan Poole to the Wizards.)

As a rookie, Coulibaly scored 8.4 points per game with 4.3 rebounds while shooting 35% on 185 3-point attempts.

Prior to joining the NBA, Coulibaly played professionally in France for Metropolitans 92 and was a teammate of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.