Will Riley News, Rumors, Updates - Washington Wizards

Lined up for bench role Riley (rest) has much more competition for playing time with the Wizards in 2026-27.

Impact Riley will be joined by a new-look Washington squad this year, one that doesn't closely resemble 2025-26's late-season bunch nearly at all. All of Trae Young, Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa, Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr weren't part of the team's lineup to close last season but are set to make up the starting five for 2026-27, likely leaving Riley to contend with Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly for minutes in the second unit.

12 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Shut down in Summer League The Wizards are shutting down Riley (rest) for the team's final three Summer League games, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

Impact Riley made two Las Vegas Summer League appearances before Washington decided to shut him down. The 2025 first-rounder is set to compete with Bilal Coulibaly and Khris Middleton for a key bench role in 2026-27.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Will Riley is Forcing Wizards Hand Regarding Roster Construction NBA Summer League is wrapping up, which means the majority of the Wizards' first and second-year players are shutting down. This ultimately...

JULY 14 • SI.COM

Former Illinois basketball star drops massive performance in NBA Summer League Former Illinois basketball wing Will Riley was poised to be a major part of Brad Underwood's roster before he declared for the 2025 NBA draf...

JULY 14 • WRITINGILLINI.COM

Will Riley is making himself impossible for the Wizards to ignore Will Riley may not be stealing the headlines, but he will play a vital role for the Wizards next season.

JULY 13 • WIZOFAWES.COM

Drops 32 points in SL win Riley recorded 32 points (9-14 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds and three assists across 29 minutes in Sunday's 104-85 Summer League win over the Kings.

Impact Riley delivered an efficient performance and torched the nets from beyond the arc in a comfortable win Sunday. The 20-year-old forward also finished second on the team in rebounds behind AJ Dybantsa (seven). Riley is averaging 25.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists through two Las Vegas Summer League outings.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 18 points in win Riley produced 18 points (5-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes of Thursday's 92-88 Summer League win over the Jazz.

Impact Riley made a strong impression Thursday, but the reality is that he has a lot of work to do in order to earn a spot in this rotation. On Washington's projected depth chart, Riley is slotted behind AJ Dybantsa and Bilal Coulibaly.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

After a difficult rebuild, the Wizards have new hope after adding Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick

The Washington Wizards took AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in the NBA draft

JUNE 24 • Associated Press

Struggles in season finale Riley recorded six points (2-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and four assists across 34 minutes during Sunday's 130-117 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact Riley struggled from the floor Sunday, closing his season with a disappointing performance. Much like many of his teammates, Riley was able to shift into a sizeable role down the stretch, with Washington packing up shop early in the piece. In 17 appearances over the past month, Riley saw 32.4 minutes per game, during which he put up 16.6 points, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod Riley will start Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.

Impact Riley will enter the starting lineup for the team's season finale. The rookie has been impressive of late, averaging 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 33.9 minutes per contest over his last seven appearances.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Retreating to bench Riley is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus Miami.

Impact Bilal Coulibaly is back from a one-game absence due to a heel injury and is pushing Riley to the second unit. Riley has played at least 25 minutes in each of his last 10 appearances as a reserve, so the rookie first-rounder should still play a key role off the bench Friday.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Washington faces Miami, seeks to break 8-game slide

Washington looks to stop its eight-game losing streak when the Washington Wizards play Miami

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Flirts with triple-double Riley logged 23 points (8-22 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 6-7 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and three steals across 38 minutes during Thursday's 119-108 loss to the Bulls.

Impact Riley led the Wizards in the scoring department, though he needed 22 field-goal attempts to do so. He remained ice cold from beyond the arc, where he's now 1-for-14 over his previous two appearances. Riley managed to make up for his shooting woes by stuffing the stat sheet, and his production Thursday was much improved in comparison to his final line from Tuesday, when he tallied two points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 31 minutes, also against Chicago.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Leonard Miller's career night paces Bulls to 119-108 win over Wizards

Leonard Miller scored a career-high 26 points and matched his career best with 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls eased to a 119-108 victory over the Washington Wizards to sweep a tw...

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Starting Thursday Riley will start Thursday's game against the Bulls.

Impact With Bilal Coulibaly (heel) out, Riley will step back into the starting lineup. As a starter this season (16 games), the rookie first-rounder has averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 33.7 minutes per tilt.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Washington hosts Chicago on home losing streak

Washington will try to break its 10-game home slide when the Wizards face Chicago

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

Not starting Tuesday Riley is coming off the bench in Tuesday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Bilal Coulibaly (heel) is replacing Riley in the starting lineup Tuesday. Riley has played at least 25 minutes in each of his last nine appearances as a reserve, so the expectation is that he'll still play significant minutes from the second unit.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Another strong showing Sunday Riley finished with 30 points (9-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 9-12 FT), four rebounds and six assists across 35 minutes in Sunday's 121-115 loss to Brooklyn.

Impact Riley scored a career-high 31 points in Saturday's 152-136 loss to Miami. Although he narrowly missed that mark versus the Nets, he still managed to become the first Wizards rookie to record back-to-back outings with at least 30 points since 1994 (Calbert Cheaney). The 2025 No. 21 overall pick has played well in three games in April, averaging 24.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 69.0% from the field and 40.0% from downtown across 34.5 minutes of work.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Will Riley Scores 30 Points at Brooklyn Nets | 04.05.26

APRIL 5 • YOUTUBE

Nolan Traore scores 23 points, Jalen Wilson adds 19 and Nets beat Wizards 121-115

Nolan Traore hit five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points and seven assists, Jalen Wilson added 19 points and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Washington Wizards 121-115

APRIL 5 • Associated Press

Media Availability: Head Coach Brian Keefe and Will Riley | 4.4.26

APRIL 5 • YOUTUBE

Drops career-high 31 in wild loss Riley recorded 31 points (12-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds and five steals across 37 minutes during Saturday's 152-136 loss to Miami.

Impact The 31 points and five steals were both career highs for the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Riley led the Wizards in scoring on a wild afternoon. He's scored in double digits in 10 of the last 11 games (nine starts), averaging 18.3 points, 3.3 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.1 steals in 32.3 minutes over that stretch.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Will Riley Scores Career-High 31 Points at Miami Heat | 04.04.26

APRIL 4 • YOUTUBE

Jaquez scores 32, Ware blocks 7 shots and Heat roll past Wizards 152-136

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 32 points before dashing out to fly to the NCAA women’s basketball title game, Kel’el Ware finished with 24 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks, and the Mi...

APRIL 4 • Associated Press

Washington faces Miami, looks to end road slide

Washington heads into a matchup with Miami after losing three straight road games

APRIL 3 • Associated Press

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