Josh Robbins
@joshrobbins.bsky.social
Senior Writer for The Athletic. I cover the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and the NBA.
Desmond Bane's "dawg mentality" is transforming the Magic, 37 points at a time. Story in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Desmond Bane’s ‘dawg mentality’ is transforming the Magic, 37 points at a time
Bane scored 37 points, collected six rebounds and dished out five assists in the Magic's NBA Cup quarterfinal victory over the Heat.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Desmond Bane's "dawg mentality" is transforming the Magic, 37 points at a time. Story in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Early pregame shooting routines are underway here in Orlando for tonight's NBa Cup quarterfinal, Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero on the court now:
December 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Early pregame shooting routines are underway here in Orlando for tonight's NBa Cup quarterfinal, Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero on the court now:
The Orlando Magic will use their standard home court instead of their 2025 NBA Cup court for tonight's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Miami Heat. Story at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Magic to use regular court vs. Heat after NBA Cup court damaged in storage
Team did not feel comfortable using damaged surface. Earlier, Lakers scrapped their NBA Cup court after Luka Dončić called it "dangerous."
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The Orlando Magic will use their standard home court instead of their 2025 NBA Cup court for tonight's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Miami Heat. Story at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
In news that will impact the Eastern Conference playoff chase and potentially the playoffs themselves, the Magic received welcome news about injured star Franz Wagner this afternoon. Story at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Magic’s Franz Wagner avoids major injury, will miss time with high-ankle sprain
Orlando star, who is averaging 22.7 points and plays active defense, suffered frightening-looking injury in New York.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
In news that will impact the Eastern Conference playoff chase and potentially the playoffs themselves, the Magic received welcome news about injured star Franz Wagner this afternoon. Story at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Cam Whitmore is talented. So, why did the Washington Wizards bench him? And what's next? Here, in the @theathletic.com, is the context behind Brian Keefe's decision, Keefe's reference to "standards" and what he is attempting to accomplish.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Cam Whitmore is talented. So, why did the Washington Wizards bench him?
Wizards coach Brian Keefe spoke of "standards." What was he talking about?
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Cam Whitmore is talented. So, why did the Washington Wizards bench him? And what's next? Here, in the @theathletic.com, is the context behind Brian Keefe's decision, Keefe's reference to "standards" and what he is attempting to accomplish.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Final: Hawks 131, Wizards 116
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
December 7, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Final: Hawks 131, Wizards 116
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
McCollum: 28 pts., 3 assts.
Carrington: 14 pts., 2 rebs., 8 assts.
Vukcevic: 18 pts., 5 rebs., 4 assts.
J. Johnson: 30 pts., 12 rebs., 12 assts.
I'm not suggesting tonight is a moral victory. But so far, this is the kind of performance that Wizards fans have indicated they can live with. The Wizards trailed by as many as 20 points and then fought back to tie. The Hawks lead 105-97 with 9:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
December 7, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I'm not suggesting tonight is a moral victory. But so far, this is the kind of performance that Wizards fans have indicated they can live with. The Wizards trailed by as many as 20 points and then fought back to tie. The Hawks lead 105-97 with 9:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Wizards rookie Will Riley now has 15 points, setting a new NBA career high. His prior high was 13 points, set during Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia.
December 7, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Wizards rookie Will Riley now has 15 points, setting a new NBA career high. His prior high was 13 points, set during Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia.
Jalen Johnson is turning in another impressive performance. At halftime, he's well on his way to another triple-double, with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, assuming he's not rested if the game goes into further blowout territory.
December 7, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Jalen Johnson is turning in another impressive performance. At halftime, he's well on his way to another triple-double, with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, assuming he's not rested if the game goes into further blowout territory.
The Wizards are down 47-35 midway through the second quarter, prompting Brian Keefe to take a timeout. It'll be interesting to see if the team shows the fight that Keefe and players say they're looking for in moments such as this one.
December 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The Wizards are down 47-35 midway through the second quarter, prompting Brian Keefe to take a timeout. It'll be interesting to see if the team shows the fight that Keefe and players say they're looking for in moments such as this one.
Jalen Johnson last night recorded a triple-double in 16 minutes and 44 seconds -- the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history. At the end of the first quarter tonight in Washington, he has 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in 9 minutes, 5 seconds of time.
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Jalen Johnson last night recorded a triple-double in 16 minutes and 44 seconds -- the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history. At the end of the first quarter tonight in Washington, he has 11 points, three rebounds and three assists in 9 minutes, 5 seconds of time.
The Wizards have started the game well -- with one major exception: They're getting clobbered on their defensive board. The Hawks have collected six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points. Atlanta leads 21-18 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
December 7, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The Wizards have started the game well -- with one major exception: They're getting clobbered on their defensive board. The Hawks have collected six offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points. Atlanta leads 21-18 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.
"Buckle up, everybody. It's Wizards Week."
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
December 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"Buckle up, everybody. It's Wizards Week."
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Catch the greatest basketball podcast on earth, The Athletic NBA Show's Saturday Slam and Jam, starring @andrewschlecht.bsky.social and @albabycakes.bsky.social.
YouTube: youtu.be/nkK8wELqIyM?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Josh Robbins
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
December 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
(1/2) The Wizards’ injury report for their game Saturday against the Hawks:
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
December 5, 2025 at 10:37 PM
(1/2) The Wizards’ injury report for their game Saturday against the Hawks:
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
QUESTIONABLE:
Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Tristan Vukcevic (right knee contusion)
Cam Whitmore (illness)
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
December 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season has ended. What questions do you have about the Washington Wizards? Please ask away as a reply to this tweet, and I'll be happy to answer in a mailbag at @theathletic.com or here on Bluesky.
The Wizards have lost to the Celtics 146-101. The 45-point margin is the largest margin of the Wizards’ season. The previous high was 33, reached Nov. 7 in a loss to Cleveland (148-115) and Nov. 28 in a loss at Indiana (119-86).
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
The Wizards have lost to the Celtics 146-101. The 45-point margin is the largest margin of the Wizards’ season. The previous high was 33, reached Nov. 7 in a loss to Cleveland (148-115) and Nov. 28 in a loss at Indiana (119-86).
The Boston Celtics already have reached 127 points against the Washington Wizards, and there are still 8 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. And they're doing so without Jaylen Brown, who is out with an illness. Boston's shooting 56 percent from the field.
December 5, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The Boston Celtics already have reached 127 points against the Washington Wizards, and there are still 8 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. And they're doing so without Jaylen Brown, who is out with an illness. Boston's shooting 56 percent from the field.
Halftime: Celtics 66, Wizards 59
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
December 5, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Halftime: Celtics 66, Wizards 59
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Middleton: 12 pts., 2 rebs., 4 assts.
McCollum: 10 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assts.
Riley: 5 pts., 2 rebs., 1 asst.
D. White: 18 pts., 3 rebs., 3 assts.
Will Riley just had two nice plays on consecutive offensive possessions. He drained a corner 3 on an interesting pass by Tristan Vukcevic. On the next trip down the floor, Riley had a wraparound pass to Cam Whitmore that led to an easy Whitmore layup.
December 5, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Will Riley just had two nice plays on consecutive offensive possessions. He drained a corner 3 on an interesting pass by Tristan Vukcevic. On the next trip down the floor, Riley had a wraparound pass to Cam Whitmore that led to an easy Whitmore layup.
With injuries to three key wings, Jamir Watkins tonight will make his first NBA regular-season start. The Wizards starters are:
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
With injuries to three key wings, Jamir Watkins tonight will make his first NBA regular-season start. The Wizards starters are:
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
CJ McCollum
Jamir Watkins
Kyshawn George
Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
The Washington Wizards have completed the first quarter of their season and have the league's second worst record. What should we conclude about how things have gone for them so far? Here is my breakdown, published just now in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
The Wizards have the league’s second worst record. But they’re following their plan.
After 20 games, this season's Wizards are exactly where they need to be in order to have a successful 2026 draft.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The Washington Wizards have completed the first quarter of their season and have the league's second worst record. What should we conclude about how things have gone for them so far? Here is my breakdown, published just now in @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Story on Bilal Coulibaly's oblique injury, and where the Washington Wizards go from here, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Bilal Coulibaly to be sidelined multiple weeks with right oblique strain
Coulibaly's injury is another tough blow to the Wizards' defense.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Story on Bilal Coulibaly's oblique injury, and where the Washington Wizards go from here, in @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington's top perimeter defender, suffered his right oblique strain early in last night's third quarter and played through discomfort. He is likely to miss multiple weeks because of the injury. It's a tough blow to a defense that has struggled without him.
December 4, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington's top perimeter defender, suffered his right oblique strain early in last night's third quarter and played through discomfort. He is likely to miss multiple weeks because of the injury. It's a tough blow to a defense that has struggled without him.
This is the Wizards’ injury report for their game Thursday against the Celtics at Capital One Arena:
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
December 3, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is the Wizards’ injury report for their game Thursday against the Celtics at Capital One Arena:
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)
OUT:
Bilal Coulibaly (right oblique strain)
Tre Johnson (left hip flexor strain)
Corey Kispert (right thumb fracture)
Alex Sarr (right adductor strain)
Sharife Cooper (calf strain)