Is Alex Sarr playing tonight against Houston Rockets? Latest on Wizards center's status for Summer League game (July 14)
Alex Sarr is available to play for the Washington Wizards as they take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday for the NBA 2K25 Summer League matchup. The second overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft is coming off a good field day as the Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks 94-88 on Friday to kick off their summer league games.
In his debut with the team, Sarr showcased his prowess on both ends of the floor. The Wizards center recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four blocks in the game while shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Sarr also put on a display of his basketball IQ with standout awareness and reading of the situations in the game.
Washington Wizards will hope Alex Sarr can be for them what Chet Holmgren was for OKC Thunder
The Washington Wizards finished the 2023-24 season just shy of the last spot on the table. As they onboard Alex Sarr for the next season, they will hope that he can be what Chet Holmgren was for the OKC Thunder. Holmgren's two-way ability had a huge impact on the Thunder going from being the 10th seed team in the 2022-23 season to leading the table in the recently concluded season.
Sarr' ability to contribute on both ends of the floor may help Wizards pull off a similar turnaround in the next season. Though he is still a work in progress, Sarr's recent display showed promise in both offensive and defensive fronts. Moreover, the French player also may want to do the same for the Wizards given that he reportedly laid off being the No. 1 pick in the draft to play for the Wizards.
Alex Sarr reportedly didn't want to suit up for the Atlanta Hawks as he declined a workout session with the team ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. This may have contributed to the Hawks picking Zaccharie Risacher with their first overall pick in the draft while Sarr went second to the Washington Wizards.
Draft analyst Jonathan Givony had previously elaborated on the move ahead of the draft night and highlighted that Sarr preferred to play for the Wizards.
"I have been told that it is not so much that Alex Sarr does not want to play for Atlanta as much as he prefers to play for the Washington Wizards ... Alex Sarr probably looks at that and says the opportunity there for minutes and to play a really featured role is really attractive," Givony said (per Bleacher Report).
After defeating the Hawks and the first overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, on Friday, Alex Sarr will suit up as the Washington Wizards face the No. 3 pick Reed Shepard and the Houston Rockets on Sunday.