Washington Wizards head coach suggested that point guard Isaiah Thomas could return for Monday night's game against the Detroit Pistons.
Brooks told reporters–including Fred Katz of The Athletic–that there was a “really good chance” that Thomas could make his return in the Motor City:
Moe Wagner (ankle) is “most likely out” for tomorrow in Detroit, Scott Brooks says. He didn’t practice today. There’s a “really good chance” Isaiah Thomas (calf) returns against the Pistons, per Brooks.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 15, 2019
Thomas has not played since Dec. 3 due to a calf issue.
The two-time All-Star signed with Washington for the league minimum, but he proved himself to be one of Washington's most reliable options at the point.
Thomas earned the starting role early on, and he is averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 assists through 17 games while also shooting above 41 percent from beyond the arc.
The Wizards may as well be the walking wounded.
Obviously, star point guard John Wall remains out as he continues to rehab from a torn Achilles tendon. That aside, Moritz Wagner is still day-to-day and–as Katz mentions–probably out for Monday's game. C.J. Miles has no timetable for return, and both Thomas Bryant and Jordan McRae are likely to be out at least another week with maladies of their own.
Getting Thomas back would certainly be a start. Ish Smith has been serviceable in a starting role, but he is not quite the same level of scorer as Thomas and certainly not as proficient from the perimeter.
Still, Thomas' return is unlikely to make much of a difference in solving Washington's inability to defend. The Wizards–despite ranking fourth in points per game and offensive rating–are dead-last in opponents scoring average and defensive rating, according to Basketball Reference.
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