AJ JOHNSON NEWS

Rare appearance Friday Johnson recorded zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound across six minutes during Friday's 119-86 loss to the Pacers.

Impact Johnson appeared for the first time in the past five games, bringing his total number of garbage time appearances to nine. Despite the fact that Washington clearly has nothing to play for, it doesn't appear as though Johnson is high on the priority list. He is a name to watch as the season progresses, but for now, he can be safely ignored in all redraft formats.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bucks punching the air as draft snub breaks out as Most Improved candidate Kyshawn George would've been perfect on this year's Milwaukee Bucks, but they passed on him for AJ Johnson.

NOVEMBER 27 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Off injury report for Tuesday Johnson (ankle) is not on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Johnson hasn't played since Nov. 16 while dealing with a right ankle contusion but is off the injury report, indicating he's on track to be available Tuesday. Even if healthy, the young guard isn't guaranteed meaningful playing time, as he's averaged just 4.8 minutes per game across eight appearances this season.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Hawks visit Wizards Tuesday in NBA Cup group stage

The Washington Wizards host the Atlanta Hawks in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup

NOVEMBER 24 • Associated Press

Won't play Saturday Johnson (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Chicago.

Impact Johnson will miss a second consecutive game due to a right ankle contusion, but he'll have extra time to recover ahead of Washington's following contest Tuesday against Atlanta. Johnson has averaged just 4.8 minutes across eight appearances off the bench, so his absence won't impact the Wizards' backcourt rotation too much.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Friday Johnson (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Toronto.

Impact Johnson is a late scratch with an ankle contusion. His next chance to play is Saturday in Chicago. Johnson's absence doesn't seem to open up a clear number of minutes for other members of the Wizards.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

The Wizards are finding out why the Bucks gave up on AJ Johnson The Milwaukee Bucks were ridiculed for trading another young piece, but the move is looking smarter by the day.

NOVEMBER 12 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Bucks' regret in passing on Kyshawn George grows as breakout star rises The Milwaukee Bucks passed on Kyshawn George in the 2024 draft, choosing AJ Johnson instead. Now Johnson is gone, and George is having a bre...

NOVEMBER 10 • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Rookie option exercised Johnson had his rookie option exercised by the Wizards for the 2026-27 season, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact While Johnson and Cam Whitmore were acquired by the Wizards via trade, the front office has grouped them along with young players Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George to be their stars of the future. Johnson has also yet to play in a game this season for longer than four minutes, but this move by the front office instills confidence that they want him on the roster for the long haul.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Wizards' Khris Middleton gets huge ovations as he plays at Milwaukee for 1st time since trade

Khris Middleton considers a standing ovation from an opposing team’s crowd one of the ultimate signs of respect

OCTOBER 22 • Associated Press

Cleared to play Wednesday Johnson (leg) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's opener against the Bucks, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson was able to get some contact work in Sunday after missing the entire preseason with a leg bruise. Due to his injury setback, Johnson will be facing an uphill battle for playing time early on this season. There certainly is a path to minutes for him if he finds the form he showed late in the 2024-25 season.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Saturday Johnson (leg) was a limited participant in practice Saturday, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Johnson participated in some contact work during practice as he continues to manage a lingering leg bruise that sidelined him for the entire preseason. His availability for Opening Night on Wednesday against the Bucks remains uncertain, and even if cleared, the guard is projected to have a limited role in the rotation.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Wizards' AJ Johnson Heading Into Critical Sophomore Season This season holds a lot of weight for AJ Johnson, who is entering his second year in the NBA. After an unexpected start to his career with t...

OCTOBER 18 • SI.COM

Absent from Thursday's exhibition Johnson (leg) didn't play in Thursday's 119-98 preseason loss to the Pistons.

Impact Johnson missed the final three matchups of the preseason while dealing with a bruised leg. His next chance to take the court will arrive in the regular-season opener Wednesday against Milwaukee, but he's not expected to be much of a factor in the rotation for the Wizards to begin the year.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Remaining out Monday Johnson (leg) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Knicks, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson will miss his second consecutive game due to a leg bruise. His last chance to suit up ahead of the regular season will come in Thursday's matchup versus the Pistons.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Idle to start preseason Johnson (leg) didn't play in Sunday's 113-112 preseason loss to the Raptors.

Impact Johnson was limited during training camp due to a leg bruise, and he didn't take the floor during the Wizards' preseason opener. After being traded to Washington from Milwaukee last season, Johnson saw extended run down the stretch of the regular season. In 2025-26, though, he may have a more difficult path to consistent minutes. His next chance to play will come Monday against New York.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Limited by leg bruise Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said Johnson will be limited for the start of training camp with a leg bruise, Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network reports.

Impact This sounds like a minor issue for Johnson that likely won't impact his availability for Opening Night. Johnson showed some flashes late in the 2024-25 regular season and will be a player to monitor closely in deeper formats during the preseason.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Another big game in SL Johnson generated 25 points (10-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-5 FT), with five rebounds and three assists over 35 minutes of Wednesday's 86-76 Summer League loss to Utah.

Impact Johnson dropped 20 points Tuesday and followed up the performance with a Summer-League high in the category. Entering his second NBA season, Johnson will have a tough time cracking the Wizards' rotation, but age 20, he has shown plenty of promise as a long-term project.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 20 in SL loss Johnson recorded 20 points (7-20 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 31 minutes in Tuesday's 74-58 Summer League loss to the 76ers.

Impact Johnson struggled from beyond the arc but still led the Wizards with 20 points in Tuesday's loss. Acquired in February in the trade that sent Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks, the young guard will look to earn a spot in a crowded backcourt that now includes CJ McCollum, Tre Johnson and others.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Sees 48 minutes in win Johnson recorded 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt), one rebound, eight assists and one steal in 48 minutes during Sunday's 119-118 win over the Heat.

Impact Since a mid-season trade with the Bucks, Johnson's career took off with the Wizards. In 22 regular-season appearances with Washington, Johnson produced averages of 9.1 points, 3.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointers with plenty of highlight-worthy dunks and energy plays. His efficiency wasn't great, however, as he shot 38.1 percent from the field and 24.7 percent from beyond the arc. If he has a strong offseason, Johnson could find himself in the Opening Night rotation in 2025-26.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

After four high schools and a stop in Australia, AJ Johnson found a home in NBA The Wizards guard has grown during a sometimes turbulent rookie season that included a midseason trade from Milwaukee.

APRIL 12 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Returning to starting role Johnson is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Sam DiGiovanni of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Impact Johnson returns to the starting lineup due to the absence of Jordan Poole (elbow). Johnson is averaging 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.5 steals per game in his previous eight starts this season.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Sliding to second unit Tuesday Johnson won't start in Tuesday's game against the Pacers.

Impact Kyshawn George will return from a seven-game absence due to an ankle sprain, pushing Johnson to the second unit. The 20-year-old has recorded double-digit points in four of his last five appearances (all starts), averaging 14.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds across 35.8 minutes per contest in that five-game span.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 19 points, fouls out Johnson contributed 19 points (7-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, six assists and one steal across 37 minutes before fouling out of Wednesday's 116-111 win over the Kings.

Impact Johnson fouled out in the final quarter, but his contributions were pivotal in the Wizards' victory, and the California-born rookie has been making the most of the expanded role he's enjoyed in recent weeks. He's scored in double digits in five of his last nine outings, a span in which he's averaging 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 turnovers across 31.6 minutes per contest.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE