WASHINGTON -- When asked about Monte Morris' lower back soreness after Wednesday's practice, Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said the starting point guard had been sent for additional testing, that his back had not responded to treatment and further steps were being considered. Not long after, the team announced Morris received an epidural injection in his back to relieve pain.
Morris, who has missed the last two games, is now considered week-to-week. He had been playing through the injury on and off over the past month-plus. That included on Friday night against the Knicks, when he left the game for the locker room before returning to the bench with padding on his lower back.
The Wizards will now have to make do without an important player. The Wizards score 8.3 more points per 100 possessions when Morris is on the floor, the best differential on the team among players with at least 15 games played. Morris is also second on the team in three-point shooting, knocking down 40.6% for the season.
Morris averages 10.4 points and 5.3 assists per game. Delon Wright has replaced him in the starting lineup the last two games with Jordan Goodwin filling in behind him as the backup.
The Wizards have some depth at guard in general with Bradley Beal able to take on more ball-handling responsibilities and combo guard Kendrick Nunn on the bench. They also recently promoted guard Quenton Jackson from their G-League affiliate to a two-way contract.
Morris tweeted on Wednesday "be back soon."Â
In the meantime, the Wizards will do their best without him in some important games, beginning with two against the Raptors on Thursday and Saturday as they aim to gain ground in the playoff race.