The Wizards are getting their No. 1 pick on the floor Wednesday. They’re also losing a productive reserve for a considerable stretch.
Justin Champagnie underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, with Washington hoping he can return by the All-Star break, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
The Wizards confirmed the procedure, which was performed in New York, in a team announcement.
Champagnie suffered the injury in the first quarter of Monday’s game at Charlotte. He had already been ruled out for Wednesday’s visit to Cleveland, but the diagnosis makes this a much longer adjustment for Washington’s second unit.
Just two days before the injury, Champagnie recorded 11 points and 14 rebounds against the Bulls. That’s the sort of contribution a team appreciates even when bigger names get most of the attention.
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Champagnie averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 69 appearances last season, including 19 starts. He has been with the organization since the 2023-24 season following stops with the Raptors and Celtics.
Washington still has options at forward, with AJ Dybantsa set to make his NBA debut against the Cavs. Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton and Will Riley are also available around Anthony Davis.
But depth gets tested quickly in this league. The Wizards now have several months of rebounding and reserve minutes to replace while Champagnie works toward a return.
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