Wizards Notes: Sarr, Carrington, Whitmore, Zone -

Wizards head coach Brian Keefe offered an replace on Alex Sarr‘s restoration from the adductor damage that has stored him sidelined for the final six video games.

In accordance with Varun Shankar of Publish Sports activities, Keefe stated that Sarr has not progressed to doing on-court work throughout apply (Twitter hyperlink). Shankar additionally notes (through Twitter) that whereas Keefe had beforehand stated it was thought of a minor damage, these sorts of soft-tissue accidents could be arduous to pin down, and that the Wizards are being cautious along with his restoration. He provides that the French large man is shifting in the direction of his return.

Sarr has been one of many shiny spots for the 4-20 Wizards this season, exhibiting main progress in practically each statistical class and main the crew in factors (19.1), rebounds (8.6), and blocks (2.0), whereas rating third in steals (0.8) and fifth in assists (3.3).

We’ve extra notes from the Wizards:

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised guard Bub Carrington after the Wizards beat Indiana 108-89 on Sunday, in line with Shankar (Twitter hyperlink). “He’s a terrific younger participant. He’s had a number of good video games towards us,” Carlisle stated. “He’s expert, he’s large, he’s versatile, he can play completely different positions. I feel he’s defender, his capturing is the true deal.” When Shankar proposed Derrick White as a possible high-end comparability for Carrington as two guards who don’t get to the rim a lot however shoot and defend effectively, Carlisle responded that he agreed with the evaluation (Twitter hyperlink). Carrington has struggled to seek out his position this season after beginning 57 video games for Washington final 12 months, however he has performed effectively in his final three video games, all begins, averaging 17.3 factors and seven.3 assists.
Cam Whitmore has missed the final three video games attributable to coach’s resolution. Keefe initially stated the explanation for his sitting was for failing to satisfy crew requirements, although he later walked that again and stated that it was extra a matter of giving different gamers an opportunity. Keefe echoed that sentiment when requested as soon as once more about it following the crew’s 126-130 loss to the Cavaliers. “[Cam is] gonna be again in right here within the combine sooner or later, it all the time works out this fashion,” he stated, per Shankar (through Twitter). We’re seeing completely different guys — Will Riley, Jamir [Watkins] — these guys stepped up and have been taking part in effectively. Simply these mixtures, nothing greater than that.” Riley scored 12 factors in 22.5 minutes in Sunday’s victory over the Pacers.
Keefe has been experimenting with using a zone in an effort to spice up the crew’s Thirtieth-ranked protection. “We did that a bit of bit the final sport. Been engaged on it in apply final week,” Keefe stated, as relayed by Shankar (through Twitter). “Wished to combine up our coverages, some various things to see how they’d deal with it. Thought our guys did job and it helped change the rhythm of the sport for us.” Washington gave up 89 factors to the Pacers, their first time holding a crew beneath 107 factors and solely the fourth time holding a crew beneath 115 factors.