Wizards’ Tre Johnson keeps it simple after scoring a career-high 24 points against the Suns

ByNBAUSA


WASHINGTON DC — The Washington Wizards they are not yet fully liberated rookie running back Tre Johnson while he’s recovering from a hip flexor injury, but it makes them smart for drafting him anyway. The 19-year-old scored a game-high 24 points (9-12 FG, 5-5 3-point) with one rebound, two assists and one steal over 25 minutes during their 115-101 a home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

Johnson talked about how he is maximize your playing time postgame.

“I just take what I’m given,” said the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft. “I try to play off my teammates, create open shots for myself when I’m moving off the ball, and find little ways to score to be honest.”

One of the ways Johnson scored by making the three-point logoshowing unlimited range similar to the shooting of scientists Steph Curry and Damian Lillard. The former Texas Longhorn has hit those shots routinely over the past few games, such as these lifts from Washington’s 124-113 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 21:

The most exciting part for the Wizards is that Johnson is playing like this without being fully healthy. Coach Brian Keefe revealed before the Suns game that Johnson and second-year center Alex Sarr (adductor) are on minute limitsby Ben Strober of Locked On Wizards. On Tuesday, general manager Will Dawkins talked about why Johnson still on that limit despite bouncing back from their 130-126 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 12, via “The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan.

“We have to protect our guys and their bodies. This is his first time really coming into the NBA; he came into the league with an injury,” he said. “I got to watch him through Summer League and I saw him come back again last month, so we’re going to be careful. We’re going to put our players first. The reps and the minutes add up, it’s all important. At the end of the year, hopefully (the restriction) will be lifted by then and he’ll play a little more freely. But he’s really willing to make his choices. Aggressive on both ends of the floor, that’s the main thing, keeping those guys healthy and getting as many reps as possible.

Johnson’s previous injury that occurred in college was also hip diseaseaccording to The Athletic.

Johnson, who has missed seven games this season and is averaging 23.3 minutes, is unlikely to challenge peers such as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (34.5 minutes), Charlotte Hornets guard Conn Knueppel (33.1 minutes) and New Orleans Pelicans big man Derrick Quinn (25.8 minutes) holding back his time for the NBA year. However, keeping the young shooter healthy is more important than any award.

Based on how Johnson is playing while still on the mend, Wizards fans can be thrilled with his production when he finally reaches full health.

Marvin Bagley isn’t worried about Alex Sarr

Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) dribbles the ball between Phoenix Suns guard Colin Gillespie (12) and forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during the third quarter at Capital One Arena.
© Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

While Johnson excelled against Phoenix, Sarr had his worst game of the season offensively. The 20-year-old managed just two points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3-point) with four assists and two turnovers in 25 minutes.

However, veteran big man Marvin Bagley III no doubt about Sar’s ability to come back.

“He’s fine, he’s going to be fine. You have games like that,” the 2018 No. 2 overall pick said after the game. “I’m not worried about it, I’m not stressed about it. I see the work he’s putting in behind the scenes. ‘Just stick with it,’ that’s what (advice) I’d say. There’s a lot of games left to play. Fix whatever you need to fix, and go out in the next game and fix those things. I’m not worried about that, he’s had great games from me (so those players take away). he’s able to do and how he’s helping us, I have the utmost confidence in him to go out to the next game and bring that energy and effort.

Sarro’s offensive struggles have been notable given how consistent he has been on that end this season. The 7-foot-2, 205-pounder is averaging 17.5 points on 50.5 percent shooting (34.3 percent from 3-point range) with three assists and 1.7 turnovers in 28.4 minutes and has scored 10-plus points in 19 of 22 games so far.

However, the young player, who is still nursing an adductor ailment and has a weak outing on the second night of back-to-back games, has nothing to worry about. This is especially true for Sar after scoring 20 points (9-20 FG, 1-6 3-point) with nine rebounds, a career-high six blocks, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes in Washington’s 116-112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Although Sarr struggled offensively and recorded just two rebounds on Monday, his two blocks put it in the NBA history books, via Wizards PR.

“Saar becomes the fourth player in NBA history to record 150+ blocks (career) and 100+ three-pointers before his 21st birthday, joining Eddie Griffin, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Victor Wembanyama,” the team said.

That one fact doesn’t guarantee Sarr’s continued success moving forward, but it doesn’t hurt to be in statistical company with Jackson and Vembanyama, two of the best big men in the game today.

Next up for the Wizards is a New Year’s Day meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.





2025-12-31 00:51:00

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