Brandon Scott here, the host of the daily Locked On Wizards podcast, with your daily Locked On Wizards newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Wizards and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
A short stop in Chi-Town before going back home, can the Wizards humble the Bulls?
Chicago, Illinois. Home of the Italian beef sandwich, the Chicago-style hotdog, deep dish pizza, and Wrigley Park. The Wizards head into Chi-town for a short stop before heading home for a three-game homestand before heading back out on a West Coast trip. The Wizards come in with a 6-29 record and are hungry for a victory. Let’s get into my three keys to victory and see if the Wiz-Kidz can pull off a dub in the Mid-West.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Total team defense
The Bulls are the 5th best-scoring team in the NBA. The Wizards will need to practice total team defense. Get back in transition and set up. Making faster defensive switches and closing out shooters. Shutting down the perimeter. Total team defense.
#2 - Win the battle of the rebounds Matchup - Valanciunas/Holmes vs Vucevic/Smith
#3 - Aggression
I’m looking for two players in particular to be more aggressive. Alex Sarr, if he’s ready to roll at tip-off, is one player who if he can flip a switch and become more aggressive, his offensive will continue to progress. Yes, he can spread the floor, but I look for him to develop into a well-rounded Center in the NBA. Bub Carrington is a sleeper pick and a part of the young core of this team. A scoring mind combo guard, he needs to have more of an aggressive scorers mentality if he hopes to reach the level that most of us expect him to reach.
Jan 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Intuit Dome. | Kiyoshi Mio/Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard left the Clippers behind in Denver on Wednesday, he travelled solo back to Los Angeles to meet his family as they evacuated their home in the Pacific Palisades. As of Thursday, the Palisades Fire — the biggest of the five separate fires burning in L.A. — has scorched through close to 20,000 acres of land, homes, buildings and infrastructure. Leonard’s family and their home are safe, and because natural disasters thankfully still trump the audience demand for athlete participation, Leonard’s also able to be away from the team and focus on what’s most important.
Not to draw too flimsy a point between disaster and basketball, but Leonard’s return to the Clippers had been top of mind for me prior to the fires, and his necessary absence now offers another lens to view his prolonged absence this season.
After he was pulled from Team USA’s Olympic play this summer, Leonard underwent a surgical procedure on his right knee. It’s same knee he had surgically repaired after an ACL tear in 2021 and a meniscus tear in April 2023, as well as the quad injury that eventually led to him parting ways with the Spurs over concerns of recovery mismanagement.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Ranking The Washington Wizards are struggling in the NBA cellar-dweller power rankings. With trades and player performances under scrutiny, the Wizards’ strategic decisions are in the spotlight. (Bullets Forever)
Preview As they prepare to face the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards look to improve their standing. Key matchups and player strategies will be critical in this upcoming game. (Bullets Forever)
Analysis Despite a strong performance from an unexpected bench player, the Wizards fell short against the 76ers. This analysis dives into the game’s dynamics and player contributions. (Wiz of Awes)
Analysis The decision to trade Bradley Beal is looking wise for the Wizards as the Suns grapple with complications. This strategic analysis evaluates the trade’s impact on both teams. (Wiz of Awes)
Ranking As the trade deadline approaches, the Washington Wizards are evaluated in the latest NBA power rankings, highlighting their current performance and potential moves. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Washington Wizards will take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Steve Kerr and JJ Redick share the impact of the Los Angeles fires on their families’ lives. (ESPN)
Biz Aging NBA stars like Jimmy Butler may be in for a rude awakening. (Forbes)
Friday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Slate: Injury Updates and Streaming Options
Jan 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) drives against Washington Wizards forward Richaun Holmes (22) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The NBA action continues with seven games on tap for Friday, and there’s no shortage of intriguing storylines to follow. Let’s dive into the key matchups and player situations that fantasy managers need to keep an eye on.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Pelicans-Sixers matchup is plagued by absences on both sides. For New Orleans, Herb Jones (shoulder), Brandon Ingram, and Trey Murphy (ankle) are all sidelined. However, Zion Williamson is set to return after sitting out the previous game. The Sixers will continue to be without Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, and KJ Martin.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
The Magic are on a back-to-back, while the Bucks are in a favorable schedule spot. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton are all listed as probable for Milwaukee. Orlando will be without Gary Harris, and Jalen Suggs is expected to remain sidelined. Paolo Banchero is reportedly set to return for this game.
