The Washington Wizards may be shorthanded when they take on the Sacramento Kings Friday night. Bradley Beal and Ian Mahinmi are game-time decisions, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. Beal has a bruised sternum and Mahinmi has a back injury.
Bradley Beal is, along with John Wall, one of the most important players on the Wizards. He's averaging 25.0 points and 4.8 assists per game through the first four games of the season.
Beal's high scoring totals can be attributed to his 45.2 percent shooting from 3-point range. Not only is he converting on his 3s at a high rate, but he's also shooting 7.8 attempts from deep per game. Beal's high-volume, high-efficiency shooting numbers are crucial to Washington's success this season.
Ian Mahinmi is playing a much lesser role for the Wizards, but the big man is still playing around 11 minutes per game and is helping to prop up a shorthanded frontcourt. The Wizards are still waiting for Dwight Howard to make his return to the court from a neck injury.
The Wizards are stumbling out of the gate. They've lost three of their first four games. That being said, close losses against Miami and Toronto could have easily gone their way with a little luck. There's no reason to panic in Washington, especially considering the weak Eastern Conference.
The Wizards will be contending for the playoffs in the East at the very least. If they can get healthy and start to play some consistent basketball, they may even challenge for home-court advantage in the first round. But it's far too early to tell either way.
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