WASHINGTON -- The Wizards have returned from their Japan trip with some unfortunate news, as second-year wing Corey Kispert will miss approximately 4-to-6 weeks due to a left ankle sprain.

Kispert injured his ankle in the team's loss to the Warriors on Sunday, their second preseason game. According to the team, he hurt himself by accidentally stepping on the foot of a Warriors player.

Kispert, 23, will now be sidelined for at least the start of the 2022-23 season. The Wizards tip off their regular season on Oct. 19 at the Indiana Pacers.

Kispert figures to play a key role for Washington this season as one of their best 3-point shooters. The Wizards made the fewest threes of any team in the league last season. Kispert's continued progress as a young player is a key factor in how the team hopes to improve that weakness.

The earlier end of Kispert's timeline would have him miss roughly seven or eight games. The latter end could see him out for upwards of 14 or 15 games.

However long he's out, the Wizards will have to compensate. It could mean more playing time for rookie Johnny Davis, who now has a better chance of serving as the back-up 2-guard behind starter Bradley Beal. 

Compounding matters for the Wizards is the fact Deni Avdija has been out with a groin injury. Avdija and Kispert were the Wizards' first round picks in the 2020 and 2021 NBA Drafts and they both factor into the same position group.