Tough First Game For Bilal Coulibaly (10-25-23)

Darrell Owens | Oct 26, 2023

Tough First Game For Bilal Coulibaly (10-25-23) /

In this story:

Washington Wizards kicked off the 2023-24 NBA season on the road in Indianapolis, Indiana taking on the Indiana Pacers. Last season the Wizards and Pacers split the season series. This season we will see a revamped Wizards team. With big names Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis being shipped out of town, the Wizards will have to lean on some of their young talent. One of those new pieces, 2023 7th overall pick Bilal Coulibaly made his NBA regular season debut tonight.

First @NBA bucket for @Bilaal_6 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/pYgkhP9l9B
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 25, 2023

We saw Coulibaly play 23 minutes in his debut. Bilal only scored three points but made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball leading the team with three blocks. Coulibaly also grabbed four rebounds and three assists. Those numbers may not scream at you but we have a long season to go. Inside The Wizards columnists, Carita Parks and Tyrone Montgomery have these thoughts on Coulibaly.

“In observing Bilal Coulibaly, he is poised and not intimidated at all. Give him time and he's going to be really good” -Carita Parks

“Bilal had shades of Mattisse Thybulle! Mattisse Thybulle of the Portland Trailblazers is one of the NBA’s premiere defenders. If Bilal can perform like this on a nightly basis, the Wizards may have found a gem with this draft pick.” -Tyrone Montgomery Jr.

Remember Wizards fans it’s really way too early in the season to panic. Coulibaly has the potential to make a huge impact in Washington.

More On Wizards Adding Coaching Expertise From Golden State, Lakers, And Oklahoma City

Early Impressions of Wizards Rookie Bilal Coulibaly

Where To Find Us

Follow Inside The Wizards on Facebook

Follow Inside The Wizards on Twitter

Keep up with all Washington Wizards news on the SI.com Washington Wizards team page

Published Oct 26, 2023

DARRELL OWENS

Title: Staff Writer, Video Producer and Graphic Designer for SI’s Fan Nation’ “Inside The Wizards” site Location: Midlothian, Virginia Expertise: Play-By-Play Commentator, Video Production, Graphic Designing & Photography My name is Darrell Owens I’m the owner and founder of LegacyMaker Sports Network. I’ve covered Sports in the Virginia, Maryland and DC area for 6 years. Major Teams and College Teams that I have covered. Washington Wizards, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Orioles, Virginia Cavaliers (Basketball & Football), Washington Mystics, VCU Rams (Basketball), Richmond Spiders (Basketball & Football), Washington Nationals & Baltimore Ravens. PA announcer Amelia County High in Amelia, VA for 23 years. Started in my sophomore year in high school. As well as, PA announcer for Blessed Sacrament, Huguenot high school in Powhatan, Virginia for 6 years. The last 5 years doing Play-By-Play Commentator at Richmond & VCU Women’s Baskeball.