The Washington Wizards will start the 2022-23 season without its best long-range shooter. The team announced Wednesday forward Corey Kispert will miss four-to-six weeks with a sprained left ankle.
Kispert’s injury occurred when he stepped on an opponent’s foot during Washington’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Japan.
The Wizards open the regular season on Oct. 19 against the Indiana Pacers. The timeframe for Kispert’s recovery places his return in the first week of November at the earliest. The Wizards have seven games in October.
This is a huge loss for Washington. Last season, Kispert emerged as the Wizards’ top long-range shooter. He set a franchise record for most threes made by a rookie with 112 while shooting 35% from three.
The Wizards had the fifth-lowest three-point percentage in the NBA. Washington also made the fewest threes of any team.
Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard tried to address the area of concern this offseason. The Wizards acquired point guard Monte Morris and swingman Will Barton from the Denver Nuggets in a trade. Morris shot 39.6% from three last season. Barton shot 36.5% beyond the arc.
Washington also signed guard Delon Wright. While Wright is expected to back up Morris at point guard, he shot 37.5% from three last season.
Rookie Johnny Davis should get an increase in playing time, as the backup shooting guard behind Bradley Beal. Davis struggled shooting threes in college at Wisconsin last season. However, he can score in other methods.
Davis averaged 19.7 points per game, despite shooting 30.6% from three. He brings a different scoring aspect to the offense. He’s looked shaky at times during summer league and preseason. But the Wizards are a veteran team that could alleviate some pressure from the rookie.
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