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Wizards: 5 Midseason Takeaways

By Colby Giacubeno

Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman coaches guard Bradley Beal (3) on the sideline in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman coaches guard Bradley Beal (3) on the sideline in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) is helped off the field by guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Gary Neal (14) after suffering an apparent leg injury against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Verizon Center. Dallas Mavericks won 116 – 104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) is helped off the field by guard Bradley Beal (3) and guard Gary Neal (14) after suffering an apparent leg injury against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Verizon Center. Dallas Mavericks won 116 – 104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Injury Bug Bites Again

For one particular Wizard, injuries have been a constant theme since he was drafted. Bradley Beal has had his struggles staying off the inactive list for Washington for some time now. This season alone, Beal has missed 16 games dealing with a right leg injury that has given him problems since he first injured it during his rookie season.

Right when Beal was starting to ween off his minutes restriction in Monday night’s game against the Celtics, he catches an elbow to the nose from Marcus Smart and has to the leave the game.

Beal has been diagnosed with a broken nose and concussion. His return is on a day-to-day basis.

This was a huge season for Beal coming in because the Wizards chose not to give him an extension before the deadline. With Beal believing he deserves a maximum extension, it was his turn to go out and prove his worth. Sitting on the sidelines may force the Wizards to think otherwise when the season comes to a close and contract talks come to the forefront.

It isn’t just Beal struggling with injury. Nene has missed 19 straight games this season dealing with a calf injury. The sound of Nene being an important player on an NBA team at this stage of his career may make some chuckle, but he provides the toughness the Wizards lack, especially off the bench, in the frontcourt.

Other role players such as Gary Neal, Drew Gooden, and Kris Humphries have all missed their share of games as well. Alan Anderson, a key addition for Washington during free agency in hopes he would supply scoring off the bench, has yet to step on the floor after undergoing ankle surgery prior to the season.

It’s evident that injuries have plagued this team that had such high expectations, whether it is too late or not for them to start a rally and stay healthy will remain to be seen.

Next: 4. The Rook Gets His Chance

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