Bilal

Coulibaly

Coulibaly played nine minutes in the first half of Wednesday’s game before exiting due to illness. His early departure has freed up minutes for Malcolm Brogdon, who played 14 minutes off the bench in the first half. However, if Coulibaly misses time, it may allow Kyle Kuzma to return to the starting lineup.

Coulibaly produced a complete stat line on Saturday, and the recent improvement in all-around production has boosted his fantasy value. Over the past three weeks, the second-year wing has provided top-60 per-game value in 9-cat formats. The Wizards play four games in Week 10, beginning with another home game against the Knicks on Monday.

Coulibaly didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but it was good for him to be back on the court after sitting out Monday’s loss to Oklahoma City. As long as he’s healthy, the second-year wing will continue to play heavy minutes for the rebuilding Wizards. And Coulibaly has been a valuable option for fantasy managers, sitting just outside the top-50 in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks.

Coulibaly and Sarr are back after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Thunder. Their returns mean Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas will come off the bench. While the latter will retain standard league fantasy value, the former is a deep-league option with his return to the bench.

Coulibaly did not play in Monday’s loss to Oklahoma City, the second game he’d missed this season. Malcolm Brogdon moved into the starting lineup and played 26 minutes. He’ll likely retain that role if Coulibaly cannot play on Thursday, and the veteran guard would be worth rostering in deep leagues.

Coulibaly and Sarr’s absence from Monday’s game will open up two spots in the starting lineup. Kyshawn George, Corey Kispert, Justin Champagnie, and Anthony Gill will benefit from playing time, with George and Kispert being better options for deep-league managers seeking streamers. Champagnie has been starting for Kyle Kuzma and should be the priority target.

Questionable on the initial injury report for Monday’s game, Coulibaly’s status is trending in the wrong direction. If he cannot play against Oklahoma City, Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert will have added value, with the former being the likely replacement in the starting lineup.

There’s never a good time for an injury, but Coulibaly possibly being sidelined by a groin issue is a tough deal for him and fantasy managers. The Wizards wing has been a top-30 player in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. If Coulibaly cannot play on Monday, Kyshawn George and Corey Kispert should see their minutes increase, with the former being the more likely choice to start.

Coulibaly has seemingly flipped a switch recently, providing 4th-round value in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. And he’s been one round better in 8-cat during this stretch. Coulibaly has been more efficient as a scorer, and he finished Saturday’s loss with his first double-double of the season. Bilal will continue to have every opportunity to play through his struggles, and the faith shown by the Wizards appears to be paying off.

Coulibaly has begun to turn things around after enduring a six-game stretch in which he shot a brutal 17.6% from the field. After shooting 6-of-13 in Sunday’s loss to the Wizards, the second-year wing matched his season-high with 27 points and went 10-of-18. Also, this was Coulibaly’s first career game with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The shot hasn’t always been there for Coulibaly, but the Wizards have been happy to allow him to play through his struggles. Fantasy managers may have taken a hit in the FG% category on some nights, but the reward is performances like the one he turned in on Friday.