Washington Wizards big man Ian Mahinmi will be sidelined for at least six weeks after sustaining a strained Achilles tendon injury, according to the team.
Head coach Scott Brooks had hinted at Mahinmi missing training camp due to an injury, but this timeline will put him out at least until mid-November, leaving newly paid starter Thomas Bryant without his immediate backup.
Mahinmi will be “treated conservatively” during the next few weeks until the six-week mark arrives, at which point he will be re-evaluated and given a further timetable. While Mahinmi is out, it's possible that the Wizards can turn to rookie Admiral Schofield or veteran Davis Bertans to fill in behind Bryant, who is expected to soak up heavy minutes at center after Dwight Howard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and consequently bought out by the team.
The Wizards are getting hit hard with the injury bug from the onset, much like last season — this time with long-term injuries to Isaiah Thomas and Mahinmi while C.J. Miles, Isaac Bonga and Troy Brown Jr. are listed as day-to-day upon the opening days of training camp.
Mahinmi hasn't been the healthiest of players since joining the Wizards, playing only 31 games in his first season (2016-17) and 34 games this past season, including six starts.
The 6-foot-11 center is in the last year of a four-year, $64 million pact with the Wizards, largely underachieving after averaging a whisker under five points per game in his three years with the franchise.
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