Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, the team announced. His return-to-play timeline will depend on how he responds to treatment.
The 31-year-old suffered the injury Saturday during a team practice in Montreal. Team officials sent him home Sunday to the Washington, D.C. area to undergo imaging tests.
Brogdon came to the Wizards in June in a draft-night trade. Washington sent 23-year-old forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for the draft rights to 14th pick Bub Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick, second-round picks in 2028 and 2030 and Brogdon.
While Carrington and the incoming draft picks were the key assets in the deal, the Wizards believed Brogdon, with his veteran’s perspective and reputation as an enthusiastic mentor to young teammates, brought value as a potential locker-room leader on an increasingly youthful roster. Brogdon immersed himself within the team right away, spending time with young players during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Brogdon’s absence likely will create added playing time for Carrington and another rookie, guard Kyshawn George.
Brogdon has averaged 15.4 points and 4.7 assists per game across eight seasons with four NBA teams. He won the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and was named the 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year while playing for the Boston Celtics.
He is making $22.5 million this season in the final year of a two-year contract.
(Photo: Soobum Im / USA Today)
