With NBA preseason games in full swing, it is time for fans to look ahead to the rest of the calendar and see what the year has in store for their squad. For Washington Wizards fans, glancing at the national television schedule will show a depressing figure. The Wizards have only one game on national television, the lowest total in the league.
Washington is one of the top 10 media markets in the association, yet there remains a lack of spotlight on the Wizards. This might make sense if you’re Adam Silver and the rest of the league office. Despite a busy offseason around the organization, the Wizards enter the season an unknown commodity. Still, via LeaguePass or on Monumental Sports Network, it will be possible for fans to watch this new-look squad. Here are five must-watch Wizards games.
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Five Must-Watch Washington Wizards Games in 2023-24
10/25/23 at Pacers
It was tough to pick between this game and the home opener in Washington a few days later. Ultimately, I think the season opener against the Pacers proves a more intriguing matchup. Adding to the excitement usually generated by the first game of the year, fans will see the new-look team play real NBA minutes for the first time. Furthermore, they will be facing off against a Pacers squad in the same position as them. This Indiana team, anchored by Tyrese Haliburton, features a deep pool of young talent with points to prove.
In particular, the direct matchup between Kyle Kuzma and Obi Toppin, two explosive forwards, provides the chance for fireworks. Kuzma will aim to start his campaign strong, while the former Knick will aim to endear himself to a new team and fanbase. Another subplot to keep an eye on in this game is Bilal Coulibaly and Jarace Walker. On draft night back in June, these two rookies were swapped for each other. While there shouldn’t be any hard feelings, these coincidences have the propensity for juicy soundbites.
11/03/23 at Heat
This NBA season is different from any other in history, largely due to the addition of the In-Season Tournament. The reaction around the league has been varied. However, we should applaud Silver and co. for finagling the schedule to maximize entertainment while minimizing wear and tear on the teams. For fans of organizations that are in transition, the midseason tournament also offers something to cheer for.
What would otherwise be an innocuous early-November game now has meaning. For this reason, the matchup with the Heat at the start of next month is a big game for the Wizards. Of course, the team will have a chance to make a statement against last season’s finalists. And if the Wizards can pull off a result against a somewhat depleted, divisional rival, it could signal a promising resurgence.
12/22/23 at Warriors
As previously mentioned, the Wizards have one nationally televised game. This comes when they travel to the Bay Area right before the holidays. The main storyline is Jordan Poole’s return to the team that drafted him. This is following last year’s tumultuous on and off-the-court incidents and the subsequent trade that saw him land in DC.
Being a young star playing alongside three Hall of Famers is never easy. Even more so when footage leaks of an on-court altercation between you and the team’s defensive star. Looking back at the madness of last year, it seems fair to say that Poole will return to the Chase Center with ambitions of torching nets and proving a point. On the team front, this young group will have one chance to show a broader audience what they can do. There are few ways more impressive than to travel to Golden State and knock off the NBA’s most successful dynasty of the last decade.
02/04/24 vs. Suns
The Suns are already being billed as much-watch TV across the league and will enter the season as title hopefuls. When they travel to Washington in February, the two teams might sit on opposite ends of their respective conferences. However, this game is certainly a must-watch for Wizards fans. It will also mark the return of Bradley Beal to DC.
Beal is a Wizards legend, serving the team dutifully for 11 seasons. He was named to three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team during his tenure. While there are many fond memories of his time in the nation’s capital, his no-trade clause certainly complicated the manner of his departure. Regardless, Washingtonians should make a point to welcome him back to the district warmly. After all, the franchise has seen few players more loyal or as exciting, and that’s without mentioning his track record of community outreach as well. To boot, it is always a treat to see DMV-native Kevin Durant return to the area.
04/03/24 vs. Lakers
Indulge me in a moment of nostalgia; it is the middle of winter, and the year is 2016. LeBron James has returned to Cleveland, and tonight, they play in front of a sold-out Verizon Center (as it was called then). In the depths of a middling Wizards season, most fans had packed the Penn Quarter to see the world’s greatest basketball player. The teenage version of myself was among them, rooted to my seat an hour ahead of tip to watch the teams warm up. A silhouette appeared from the visitor’s tunnel, quite literally larger than life. Over the next 48 minutes, it became clear why James was the best player on the planet. He dropped a 34-point double-double on the Wizards. The effortless way he dissected the team will stick with me for the rest of my life.
In the present day, James’ legend has grown. But, he is not the immutable force he once was on the court. Professional sports never promise the future, especially concerning James and retirement. As such, we never know when a visit to Washington will be his last. For this reason, I would be remiss not to include this game on this list of five must-watch Wizards games. By this point in the season, we will have a pretty clear idea of the Wizard’s standing as a team, and if they’re pushing for the Play-In Tournament, this game will undoubtedly be requisite viewing.
