Wizards’ Kyshawn George gives them a reason to look beyond Trae Young

Trae Young’s return to Atlanta was the obvious story. Kyshawn George gave the Wizards something more useful to think about beyond one emotional night.

Their young wing is becoming a player who can carry a substantial share of the offense.

George finished with 33 points and seven assists in Friday’s NBA Cup loss to the Hawks, making five of seven attempts from three. As Bryson Akins of Wizards On SI noted⁠, that pushed his season shooting percentage from deep to nearly 40%.

For a team that brought in established talent to accelerate its progress, getting that kind of production from within is particularly encouraging. Young can create opportunities. George is showing he can create plenty himself.

The Wizards also got 23 points off the bench from Tre Johnson, who made half his three-point attempts after a difficult start to the season.

Those are the developments Washington needs to turn into something dependable. George’s ability to score and facilitate gives the offense another option, while Johnson’s shooting can make life easier for everyone around him.

Young’s night demonstrated why that help matters.

He finished with 10 assists but committed eight turnovers. Whatever the emotions surrounding his return, that’s too many possessions lost for a team trying to win on the road.

The Wizards have now dropped two straight, with a trip to Oklahoma City next. Encouraging individual performances won’t make that assignment any easier.

Still, George’s emergence gives them something worth building on. The next step is getting his production, Johnson’s shooting and Young’s playmaking working together without so many possessions ending in the other team’s hands.

MORE HOOPS | Available NBA free agents by position⁠