Wizards Guard Bilal Coulibaly Undergoes Surgery for Thumb Injury
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on Friday in New York City to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb, the team announced.
Coulibaly is expected to miss playing time during the regular season.
The injury occurred while playing with the French national team during the FIBA EuroBasket, where he averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in six tournament games.
Coulibaly started in 59 games with the Wizards last season, averaging 12.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
The 6-foot-8-inch guard was selected at the number 7 spot by the Indiana Pacers in the 2023 NBA draft, before being traded to the Wizards on draft night.
In his rookie season in Washington, he played in 63 games, starting 15 of them, and averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. That season was also cut short by an injury after suffering a wrist fracture that ended his season in March 2024.
