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Wizards Make Concerning Kyshawn George Injury Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Afseth | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 11:51 PM ET

Kyshawn George has been one of the few bright spots in a Washington Wizards season defined by losing and roster upheaval. Now he's on the shelf, and the question is whether Washington brings him back at all before the year ends.

The Wizards announced Wednesday that George sustained a partial tear of the UCL in his left elbow during the club's 123-118 loss to the Houston Rockets on March 2. The team plans to treat the injury conservatively and will re-evaluate the second-year forward in three weeks.

"Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George sustained a partial tear of the UCL in his left elbow on March 2 against the Houston Rockets," the team said in its official update. "The injury will be treated conservatively, and George will be reevaluated in three weeks."

Three weeks puts the re-evaluation window right at the end of March — with the regular season wrapping up in mid-April.

Feb 24, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) goes to the basket over Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Washington has approximately 22 games remaining on its schedule. If George misses the projected 10 to 11 outings, he would return in time to play the final stretch, but only if the Wizards feel the return is worth it.

At 16-45, Washington is 13th in the Eastern Conference. They are not in playoff contention. They are not in a meaningful win-now position in any sense. The incentive to rush a 22-year-old back from a UCL injury, even a partial one, is close to zero, and any setback could turn a manageable three-week absence into something much more serious.

George was the 24th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, selected by the New York Knicks before being moved to Washington. He has started all 48 games he has appeared in this season and is averaging 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.

In the immediate term, Will Riley is the most likely candidate to absorb George's starting role. Bub Carrington and Jaden Hardy could also see increased minutes depending on how the Wizards choose to shape their lineups without him.

Thursday's home game against the Utah Jazz will be the first look at Washington's adjusted rotation, and it arrives with extra attention because Trae Young is expected to make his Wizards debut after being acquired from Atlanta in January.

The organization is still figuring out what it is building toward. George's development has been one of the cleaner storylines in an otherwise messy year. The injury is not considered season-ending at this stage. But given the standings, the calendar, and the stakes involved, there is a real scenario where the Wizards decide the risk simply is not worth it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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