The Washington Wizards hit San Antonio on Dec. 18 with a thinner bench and a tougher climb. Hours before tip, multiple outlets converged on the same bottom line: two of Washington’s key names, Khris Middleton and Alex Sarr, will not play. For a team searching for rhythm, that is a big swing in the rotation and the game plan.

Athlon Sports put it plainly in its final run-up to the matchup: “The Washington Wizards may be without multiple key players in Thursday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.” TeamRankings and the NBA’s morning injury file backed up the specifics, while TalkBasket added more pregame detail and context.

Wizards vs. Spurs injury report: Who’s in, who’s out

Here’s what was confirmed for Thursday’s game:

• Khris Middleton — knee — OUT.
• Alex Sarr — right adductor/groin — OUT (expected to miss extended time).
• Malaki Branham — thumb — Questionable.
• Cam Whitmore — illness — Questionable.
• Sharife Cooper — right calf strain — OUT (no timetable announced).
• Corey Kispert — right thumb — OUT (no timetable announced).
• Bilal Coulibaly — right oblique strain — OUT.

The NBA’s official 7:30 AM injury PDF for 12/18 listed Branham as Questionable under Washington. Meanwhile, Athlon’s piece and TeamRankings’ summary aligned on Middleton and Sarr being out and highlighted the uncertain return timelines for others.

“No Middleton and no Sarr — who’s closing for Washington tonight?”

Why Middleton and Sarr matter so much

Middleton’s absence hits the Wizards in the half court. He is a steady scorer who can calm a game down, get to midrange spots, and make the right read under pressure. Late in close contests, that kind of shot-making becomes the difference between a two-point win and a two-point loss. With him sidelined by a knee issue, Washington must find that poise from other ball handlers and wings.

Sarr’s right adductor injury is just as important on the other end. The rookie’s length and activity change how opponents attack the paint. Without him, rim protection and defensive rebounding get harder. San Antonio will notice and likely send more drives and cuts into the lane to test Washington’s interior help.

What the reports say: Athlon, TalkBasket, TeamRankings, NBA file

Athlon framed this as a last look at a shorthanded Wizards squad and flagged the uncertainty around key contributors leading into San Antonio. TeamRankings’ listing, built for bettors and fans tracking availability, echoed the core moves: Middleton out for the Spurs game and Sarr set for a longer absence with adductor soreness. The NBA’s morning injury report showed Branham as Questionable on Washington’s ledger at that time, signaling that his status was still in flux.

TalkBasket went further by packaging the injury updates with pregame context, including stat-line style projections for Washington players expected to suit up. While none of the sources delivered a final score or box, they all pointed to the same setup: Washington would be missing size, scoring, and continuity.

“This is a gut-check for the Wizards’ wings: defend, rebound, and make the simple play.”

How the absences could shape Washington’s game plan

With Middleton out, expect Washington to keep the ball moving. More touches and more drives by committee can help fill the shot creation gap. Quick actions early in the clock, dribble handoffs, and extra passes should replace some of the isolation and late-clock pull-ups that Middleton often handles.

Without Sarr, the Wizards need gang rebounding and smart help defense. That means guards and wings must crack back to box out, and the first big must show early at the nail to cut off drives. If Washington can limit second-chance looks and turn long rebounds into transition chances, they can balance the loss of size.

Shooting also matters. With injuries to Corey Kispert (thumb) and Bilal Coulibaly (oblique), spacing can tighten. Washington’s available shooters must be ready to fire on catch-and-shoot chances to keep the paint clear for drives.

Spurs angles: Pressure the paint, test the depth

San Antonio’s path is straightforward: attack the rim and force rotations. With Sarr out, Washington’s back line will be thinner, and the Spurs can probe with ball screens and cuts. If the Wizards collapse, kick-out threes appear. If they stay home, drives and floaters become available.

Malaki Branham’s status was still in question in the morning file, and any late swing there changes San Antonio’s guard rotation. If Branham is limited or unavailable, the Spurs will lean on other ball handlers and wings to keep pressure on the rim and keep the pace up.

“If the Spurs run downhill all night, Washington has to win the turnover battle to stay even.”

Big picture: What’s next for Washington’s health

Three Washington players — Sharife Cooper (calf), Corey Kispert (thumb), and Bilal Coulibaly (oblique) — remained out without set return dates in the summaries. That keeps pressure on the depth chart beyond just this one night in San Antonio. If the Wizards can navigate these weeks around defense, pace, and shared offense, they can stay competitive while they wait for reinforcements.

The most watched timeline belongs to Alex Sarr. Adductor injuries can linger if not managed carefully. The goal is clear: get him back once, and keep him back. The same caution applies to Middleton’s knee. Short-term patience can pay off later in the season, especially if the team expects to make a push once healthy.

Bottom line

For Dec. 18, the headlines are simple: Khris Middleton is out. Alex Sarr is out. Several rotation pieces are also out, and two players are questionable. That is a lot of moving parts for a single night. Washington’s path is to defend without fouling, rebound as a unit, and share the ball. San Antonio’s plan is to drive the lane and pressure a thin front line.

No final score was included in the available reports. But the story before tip was already compelling enough: one team short on stars and size, and another ready to probe the gaps. The Wizards will need a clean, connected game to make up for the losses. The Spurs will try to make the most of them.