The Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards meet Sunday night at Capital One Arena with both teams entering at 1–11 and managing long injury lists that continue to shape their rotations.
Brooklyn remains without Haywood Highsmith, who is sidelined following right knee surgery. His absence removes one of the roster’s key defensive wings and limits the Nets’ ability to match up with larger forwards.
Cam Thomas is also out with a left hamstring strain. He averages 21.4 points in eight games, and his scoring loss places more responsibility on Michael Porter Jr., who enters at 23.2 points per game across 11 appearances.
Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf remain on G League assignments. Their absences shorten the perimeter depth for a team already leaning heavily on Egor Demin, Terance Mann and Ziaire Williams for creation.
Brooklyn’s frontcourt rotation again centers on Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney. Claxton brings 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, while Clowney adds 9.3 points and 3.9 boards in 24.7 minutes.
Washington also carries multiple availability concerns. Bilal Coulibaly is listed as questionable with a left calf contusion, and his status is significant because he provides 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds while guarding primary wings.
Sharife Cooper and Jamir Watkins are out on two-way assignments, and Will Riley remains with the G League group. The Wizards will depend on core contributors to absorb additional minutes if Coulibaly cannot play.
Alex Sarr enters averaging 19.1 points and 8.6 rebounds while blocking 2.3 shots per game. His interior length has been central to Washington’s defensive structure even as the team continues to search for rhythm.
CJ McCollum supplies 16.3 points and 3.3 assists and remains the primary perimeter creator. Kyshawn George adds 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds across 11 starts, and his size provides needed versatility on both ends.
Both clubs enter with extended losing streaks. Brooklyn has dropped four straight, including a 98–105 loss in Orlando in which Porter Jr. recorded 24 points and 11 rebounds. Washington has lost seven consecutive games, most recently falling 112–135 in Houston despite 25 points and 11 boards from Sarr.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena.
