Bilal

Coulibaly

Coulibaly posted a 21/8/4/1 line in Monday’s loss to Golden State, but he’ll sit out the second leg of the Wizards’ back-to-back home set while dealing with a heel injury. Coulibaly’s absence should mean more run for Will Riley, especially with Leaky Black (ankle) also out of action.

Coulibaly finished Monday’s defeat with his fourth 20-point game of the season, and he was highly efficient in doing so. Shooting 45.2 percent from the field, the Wizards’ wing has provided 10th-round value in eight-cat formats since the All-Star break. That may not be elite value, but it may get Coulibaly on the radar of more deep-league managers, especially if he can continue to play starters’ minutes more often than not.

One game removed from being on the wrong end of a historic performance by Miami’s Bam Adebayo, the Wizards bounced back with a solid effort in Orlando. Coulibaly, whose banked-in three-pointer with five seconds remaining in regulation sent the game into overtime, led the way. His 29 points were a career-high, with the Wizards’ wing recording a complete stat line. Scoring hasn’t been Coulibaly’s best attribute, so fantasy managers should not expect Thursday’s effort to become the norm. However, there should be more room for him to put up numbers as the Wizards close out their season.

While Coulibaly has reached double figures in seven of his last eight appearances, Monday’s defeat was one of his most productive performances of the season. The Wizards wing finished with a season-high in points, recording his second 20-point game. Coulibaly did play both games of Washington’s last back-to-back, which may bode well for his availability for Tuesday’s game in Orlando.

None of the Wizards’ five starters exceeded 23 minutes on Saturday, with Coulibaly leading the way in that category. He was productive in those 23 minutes, but the Wizards’ rotation continues to be a frustrating one for fantasy managers to fill out. Coulibaly hasn’t been the best fantasy option this season, and it’s fair to question if that changes in the final six weeks of the regular season. With Washington’s four-game Week 19 beginning with a back-to-back, there isn’t much to gain from picking up Coulibaly.

The 21-year-old shooting guard could’ve had a big game, but with the game in hand after three quarters none of the starters played in the fourth quarter. Coulibaly has provided top-100 per game value over the last two weeks. The Wizards have three games upcoming in Week 18, starting with a matchup against the Hawks on Tuesday.

Coulibaly may not offer much in the way of scoring, but his ability to fill a stat line ensures that he’ll have value in deeper category leagues. The five assists were the most in a game for the Wizards’ wing since January 27, and he’s recorded at least one steal in six straight and eight of his last nine appearances. Coulibaly and the Wizards have two more games in Week 17, starting with Friday’s rematch with the Pacers.

Coulibaly is one of the Wizards players fantasy managers will be watching his minutes as much, if not more, than his stat lines for the rest of the season. He shot the ball reasonably well against the Cavaliers, but was limited to 24 minutes. Justin Champagnie (12/4/2/2 with two three-pointers) came off the bench on Wednesday and also played 24 minutes. Coulibaly is most valuable to managers who need defensive production, but that doesn’t do them much good if his minutes are being cut for draft lottery reasons.

Coulibaly was initially listed as questionable with right heel soreness. The 21-year-old shooting guard has since been cleared to play Wednesday against the Cavaliers. Coulibaly left Sunday’s loss to the Heat with an eye injury after taking a shot to the face, but appears to have suffered no lasting effects from the incident.

Coulibaly took a shot to the face during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Heat, but that isn’t the reason for his appearance on the injury report. The Wizards’ wing is dealing with a sore right heel, so he’s questionable. If Coulibaly can’t play on Wednesday, Will Riley would benefit the most in terms of playing time.