SAN ANTONIO — Already facing a deficit in depth, the Washington Wizards took another hit to their roster Wednesday night.
Key reserves Jodie Meeks and Mike Scott (illnesses) have been ruled out for Washington’s matchup against the red-hot San Antonio Spurs, limiting the Wizards to 10 available players. Their absences will force Coach Scott Brooks to get creative with the rotation as the team tries to break its longest active road losing streak. Washington has not won in San Antonio since 1999.
“Like I’ve always told the guys, we have enough,” Brooks said. “Guys are out. It gives other guys opportunities to step up and play extra minutes. You don’t necessarily have to put the pressure on yourself to score more, [but] you’re going to get opportunities to play more.”
Starting point guard Tomas Satoransky will likely play additional minutes with the second unit, while Tim Frazier and Jason Smith, players who have not been among the usual rotation, could also register minutes.
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“Just the continuity of the group that’s been playing with Mike and Jodie. That’s going to be changed up a little bit,” Brooks said, referring to the complication of retooling the rotation. “Tomas will probably get more minutes with that group. I anticipate Tomas playing high minutes tonight.
“It’s a player’s dream to play minutes,” Brooks continued. “You don’t want to play minutes in a situation like this, but it’s what it is.”
The restricted manpower — John Wall remained in Washington to continue left knee rehabilitation, while Chris McCullough and Devin Robinson are continuing their G League assignments — also comes at an inopportune time because Washington must face a San Antonio team that is beginning to click before the playoffs.
The Spurs (41-30) have won four straight home games while all-star LaMarcus Aldridge comes off a performance against the Golden State Warriors in which he had 33 points and 10 rebounds. This season, Aldridge has six games of at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Read more on the Wizards:
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