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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2h

What do true NBA insiders think about the Orlando Magic's chances to contend this season? I spoke with NBA scouts and asked them to evaluate the Magic and predict how the team will finish. Here's the exclusive story, published in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

What NBA scouts are saying about the Magic: ‘They have enough to make a run’

What do scouts think of the Magic's chances to contend in the East?

www.nytimes.com

Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 1d

The NBA regular season begins one week from today! Which players could be underdog MVP candidates? And which player has the most to prove? Will Guillory, @lawmurraythenu.bsky.social and I debate those storylines and more in @theathletic.com ⬇️:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

NBA storylines debate: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards or Donovan Mitchell for MVP?

Which underdog candidates could emerge in the 2025-26 NBA MVP chase? Who is primed for an epic comeback in the months ahead?

www.nytimes.com

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 1d

Will Riley has impressed tonight, especially in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The caveat is that the Knicks are playing second- and third-stringers. But Riley is showing his ability to handle the basketball, his court vision and his feel for the game.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 1d

I like how Dillon Jones is playing. He's distributed the ball well to open teammates on the perimeter and just sent a nice pass to Cam Whitmore for a cutting dunk.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 1d

The Wizards' starters tonight for their preseason game against the Knicks:

Bub Carrington
Tre Johnson
Kyshawn George
Justin Champagnie
Marvin Bagley III

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Alex Sarr on playing against his older brother in an organized game for the first time:

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

After the game, brothers Alex Sarr and Olivier Sarr, who were roommates last season in Washington during Alex's rookie season, exchanged jerseys on the court.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

The Raptors have won 113-112 after Olivier Sarr caught the inbounds pass at the bask and scored on a layup as time expired. That was a beautifully designed and perfectly executed out-of-bounds play.

Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

These have been good minutes for the quintet of Malaki Branham, Jamir Watkins, Will Riley, Dillon Jones and Marvin Bagley III. They've cut Toronto's lead to 111-110 with 4.2 seconds to play. Washington will have possession after this timeout.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Cam Whitmore is starting to display some of the three-level scoring he can deliver. He's scored on a 3-pointer and on a drive to the hoop in which he drew an and-one. Whitmore's up to eight points, all of them in the second half.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Cam Whitmore just provided one of the Wizards' defensive plays of the day, blocking a driving layup attempt by Jamal Shead out of bounds.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Cam Whitmore just scored his first points of this preseason opener, converting a left-handed layup off a cut to the basket. Kyshawn George delivered the pass. Washington trails 73-70 late in the third quarter.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Tre Johnson just scored his first points of this preseason opener. He collected a longish offensive rebound and hit a right-handed push shot from 12 feet, inside the foul line.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Alex Sarr is on a minutes restriction today after his calf injury during EuroBasket. He played 17 minutes in the first half, and it looks like his day is done. Marvin Bagley III is about to check into the game for Vukcevic.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

At halftime of this exhibition, Washington leads Toronto 53-52. CJ McCollum is +19. Khris Middleton, Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr are +17 so far.

Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Khris Middleton just took a charge in this preseason game, prompting the players on the Wizards' bench to leap off their seats.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Brothers Alex Sarr and Olivier Sarr are now on the court together, facing each other for the first time in an organized game.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Cam Whitmore has drawn the assignment of guarding Scottie Barnes, and Whitmore is putting in a strong effort there. On the offensive end, I cannot recall Whitmore touching the ball so far in his six minutes.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

The five players currently on the court for the Wizards, late in the first quarter:
Bub Carrington
Tre Johnson
Corey Kispert
Cam Whitmore
Tristan Vukcevic

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

The Wizards' starters for their preseason opener:

Bub Carrington
CJ McCollum
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Alex Sarr

Keep in mind that Bilal Coulibaly is out today as he continues to recover from thumb-ligament surgery.

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Here's video of rookie Tre Johnson doing some of his early pregame individual shooting work with assistant coach J.J. Outlaw. Johnson's Capital One Arena debut is approximately 90 minutes away. (Not sure if he'll come off the bench or start.)

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Brian Keefe when asked how many players will play in this preseason opener: "You'll see most of the roster out there tonight."

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 2d

Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum are on the court now, doing their early pregame individual shooting work:

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 3d

The Wizards' new locker room space remains under construction for now, and the decorative accents on the event level haven't been added yet. The construction crew has worked 24/7 since last Caps postseason to get this much done. Here's a quick video tour of some of the newly built media spaces:

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Josh Robbins @joshrobbins.bsky.social · 3d

It's game day in Washington. The Wizards will play their preseason opener at 3 this afternoon here at Capital One Arena.

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