Wizards Notes: Wright, Nunn, Morris, Unseld Jr.

Whereas Delon Wright was recovering from a severely strained hamstring, he was capable of discover how a lot the Wizards want him, writes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports activities. The numbers again up his statement — Washington is 13-6 with Wright within the lineup, however solely 7-20 when he doesn’t play. He’s particularly been a distinction maker on protection, the place the group’s score is 6.0 factors higher with him on the courtroom.

“As soon as I had seen that I’ve that kind of affect on the sport, it made me extra assured. It made me really feel extra welcome right here,” Wright stated. “A whole lot of occasions while you get to a sure group, they are going to say that you are able to do sure issues. However even in the event you’re doing it, you continue to may get subbed or won’t have your minutes as a lot as you need. Right here I really feel like I’m taking part in a good quantity of minutes and my position is gigantic.”

It’s a uncommon feeling for Wright, who’s along with his seventh group prior to now 5 seasons. He’s getting used as a backup, beginning simply one of many 19 video games he has performed, however he’s having a big affect in his 20.9 minutes per evening, main the league in steals per 36 minutes.

“I really signed (with the Wizards), so which means a bit greater than getting traded for,” Wright stated. “I really feel essentially the most assured I’ve been with a corporation since I used to be in Toronto.”

There’s extra on the Wizards:

• Kendrick Nunn had a robust debut for Washington on Wednesday in his first sport since being acquired from the Lakers within the Rui Hachimura commerce, notes Bijan Todd of NBC Sports activities Washington. Nunn anticipated to have a bigger position in L.A. after signing with the group in free company in 2021, however a knee damage prevented him from taking part in final 12 months and he was averaging simply 13.5 minutes per evening in 39 video games this season. He performed 22 minutes in his first sport with the Wizards and helped spark a comeback with 12 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. “I simply wished to return in and affect successful,” Nunn stated. “Play onerous, be aggressive, be myself and simply affect successful.”
• Monte Morris has offered the kind of management at level guard that the Wizards have been hoping for, however which will made him of the group’s finest commerce belongings heading into the deadline, in response to Ava Wallace of The Washington Submit. Common supervisor Tommy Sheppard doesn’t plan to explode the group’s core, Wallace provides, however extra roster strikes are possible coming.
• Anthony Gill has entered well being and security protocols and can miss tonight’s sport in New Orleans, Wallace tweets.
• In an interview with Wes Corridor of NBC Sports activities Washington (video hyperlink), coach Wes Unseld Jr. talks in regards to the challenges he has confronted halfway via his second season with the group.