Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery for a torn ligament in his right thumb and will miss time into the regular season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.
Coulibaly, 21, suffered the injury while playing for France at EuroBasket. The third-year wing struggled toward the end of France’s run, scoring just nine points across the team’s final three games.
Injuries have prematurely ended Coulibaly’s first two NBA seasons. A fractured wrist closed out his rookie season, and a right hamstring injury ended his sophomore campaign in March.
With Coulibaly sidelined to begin the season, second-year forward Kyshawn George is a prime candidate to start at forward alongside veteran Khris Middleton. Cam Whitmore, acquired this summer from the Houston Rockets, is also an option at the starting forward spot.
Coulibaly is entering an important year. The former No. 7 pick will become extension eligible in October 2026, which makes the upcoming season pivotal to those contract negotiations.
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