AJ Johnson News, Rumors, Updates - Washington Wizards

Removed from rotation Saturday Johnson (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Saturday's 121-115 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Prior to Saturday, Johnson had appeared in 10 straight games for the Wizards, though he averaged just 11.0 minutes per contest while shooting 30.4 percent from the field over that stretch. Even though the Wizards were without Bilal Coulibaly (back) in the second leg of the back-to-back set, head coach Brian Keefe opted to keep both Johnson and Malaki Branham on the bench throughout the day while two-way player Jamir Watkins (21 minutes), Justin Champagnie (26 minutes) and Will Riley (16 minutes) operated as the backup wings/forwards in Washington's nine-man rotation. Keefe could opt to shake up the second unit in Monday's game against the Clippers, but Johnson's chances of regaining a role won't improve if Coulibaly is cleared to play in that contest.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

The Wizards are learning the hard truth about AJ Johnson The Milwaukee Bucks let go of their latest draft project for a reason, and the Wizards are learning why.

6 DAYS AGO • BEHINDTHEBUCKPASS.COM

Muted role continues Johnson notched three points (1-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), one assist and one steal across 14 minutes during Friday's 119-99 win over Brooklyn.

Impact Johnson played at least 14 minutes for the second straight game, although he offered very little in terms of tangible production. On the whole, Johnson has been a non-factor this season, averaging just 1.1 points in 5.2 minutes per game.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets

Justin Champagnie scored a season-high 20 points and the Washington Wizards continued their recent improvement with a 119-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night

JANUARY 3 • Associated Press

Recalled to NBA Washington recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Monday.

Impact Johnson has seen very limited run with the Wizards, but is a young and polarizing prospect that Washington wants to develop. He will likely split time between the two clubs for the rest of the season.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to NBA Washington has recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Wednesday.

Impact This move was done following Tuesday's 120-110 loss to the Delaware Blue Coats, where Johnson put up 23 points (7-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), two rebounds, an assist and a steal across 32 minutes before fouling out. Johnson will now return to the Wizards, where he has appeared in just 10 games so far this season.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to G League Johnson was assigned to the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Saturday.

Impact Johnson continues to bounce between the NBA club and the G League, as he was just recalled Friday. He should see the majority of his playing time for the Go-Go, where he's scored in double figures in all three of his appearances so far this season.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from G League The Wizards recalled Johnson from the G League's Capital City Go-Go on Friday.

Impact Johnson is joining a banged-up Washington team as emergency depth ahead of Friday's game against the Cavaliers. The 2024 first-rounder is averaging just 4.5 minutes per game over 10 appearances in the NBA this year, so he'll be a candidate to head back to the G League following Friday's action.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to G League Washington assigned Johnson to the G League's Capital City Go-go on Monday.

Impact Johnson has been unable to break through Washington's rotation. Across 10 NBA appearances, he's averaging 4.5 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Champagnie scores season-high 20 points to lead the Wizards to a 119-99 win over the Nets

Hawks visit Wizards Tuesday in NBA Cup group stage

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