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.
The Wizards say goodbye to Anthony Edwards and hello to a familiar foe, then head out west.
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) is greeted by teammate guard Bradley Beal (3) after hitting a 3-point basket in the closing seconds during overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) | Carlos Osorio/AP
The Wizards ended a back-to-back series with a 120-106 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards, aka Ant-Man, dropped 41 points in his usual fashion. While the Wizards did look better than they did against the Thunder, the talent gap was too great in the end. Now, they must look forward, and next up, they have a familiar foe coming into town.
Bradley Beal and DMV native Kevin Durant and the Suns come into town with a 19-19 record and question marks heading into the trade deadline. The question is, what kind of reception will Beal get, especially a couple of games after former backcourt mate John Wall was in the building? The Wizards will look to get back to a defensive identity and try to gather some momentum before heading out west for a 6 game road trip. Will the Wizards send Beal home with a coke and a smile plus a side of an L, one could only hope.
The Wizards then head west where it might not be welcoming. 5 out of the 6 teams are Playoff/Play-in hopeful teams who like to score. The Wizards are not a good defensive team so rebounding and extending possessions should be the priority for the Wiz-kidz. Another goal should be ball movement and moving without the ball offensively for the Wizards. Finally, fighting till the end should be the expectation, let’s see if they hold true to it.
West Coast trip schedule
Saturday, January 18 @ Warriors Sunday, January 19 @ Kings Tuesday, January 21 @ Lakers Thursday, January 23 @ Jazz Saturday, January 25 @ Suns Monday, January 27 @ Mavericks
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
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
Analysis The Wizards’ statistical analysis reveals key areas for improvement, highlighting their struggles in defensive efficiency and rebounding against the Timberwolves. Strategic adjustments are critical for future success. (Bullets Forever)
Replay The Wizards faced a tough night against the Timberwolves. The game recap highlights missed opportunities and critical moments that led to their defeat. (Bullets Forever)
Replay The Wizards were embarrassed on their own court by the Thunder, with a performance marked by lackluster defense and poor shooting. (Wiz of Awes)
Prediction In the 2025 NBA mock draft, the Wizards are projected to make strategic picks that could bolster their lineup with promising talent. (Bleacher Report)
Trade If the trade deadline were today, the Wizards might pursue moves to address their roster needs, focusing on enhancing their defensive and offensive capabilities. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
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