Varun Shankar
@byvarunshankar.bsky.social
Covering the Wizards for The Washington Post. He/him
Find my work: linktr.ee/byvarunshankar
Find my work: linktr.ee/byvarunshankar
Kind of an important game for these young Wizards?
Disappointing performance vs. Brooklyn leads to a players only meeting. Some time to reflect/correct, now a chance to show it vs. a good team.
Task gets decidedly harder on D without Alex Sarr. Intrigued to see how it looks.
Disappointing performance vs. Brooklyn leads to a players only meeting. Some time to reflect/correct, now a chance to show it vs. a good team.
Task gets decidedly harder on D without Alex Sarr. Intrigued to see how it looks.
November 19, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Kind of an important game for these young Wizards?
Disappointing performance vs. Brooklyn leads to a players only meeting. Some time to reflect/correct, now a chance to show it vs. a good team.
Task gets decidedly harder on D without Alex Sarr. Intrigued to see how it looks.
Disappointing performance vs. Brooklyn leads to a players only meeting. Some time to reflect/correct, now a chance to show it vs. a good team.
Task gets decidedly harder on D without Alex Sarr. Intrigued to see how it looks.
NEW EVERYBODY EATs
@Wiz_Weekly joins me to discuss what was so bad about the Wizards loss to the Nets. We then looked at some early season trends and tried to determine if they’re real or not.
Link 👇🏾
@Wiz_Weekly joins me to discuss what was so bad about the Wizards loss to the Nets. We then looked at some early season trends and tried to determine if they’re real or not.
Link 👇🏾
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
NEW EVERYBODY EATs
@Wiz_Weekly joins me to discuss what was so bad about the Wizards loss to the Nets. We then looked at some early season trends and tried to determine if they’re real or not.
Link 👇🏾
@Wiz_Weekly joins me to discuss what was so bad about the Wizards loss to the Nets. We then looked at some early season trends and tried to determine if they’re real or not.
Link 👇🏾
Unable to solve problems, Wizards call a players only meeting after loss to Nets. What went wrong, what does it mean, what they said all👇🏾
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Unable to solve problems, Wizards call a players only meeting after loss to Nets. What went wrong, what does it mean, what they said all👇🏾
Reposted by Varun Shankar
New: How Kawhi’s "Uncle Dennis" helped spark the sports scandal of the year.
▶️ Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions
▶️ Private texts, Magic voicemails
▶️ An equity fight involving a Knicks star
▶️ Kawhi's private airport
Investigation w/ @samaha.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
▶️ Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions
▶️ Private texts, Magic voicemails
▶️ An equity fight involving a Knicks star
▶️ Kawhi's private airport
Investigation w/ @samaha.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The rise of ‘Uncle Dennis,’ the adviser at the center of an NBA scandal
Kawhi Leonard’s uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
New: How Kawhi’s "Uncle Dennis" helped spark the sports scandal of the year.
▶️ Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions
▶️ Private texts, Magic voicemails
▶️ An equity fight involving a Knicks star
▶️ Kawhi's private airport
Investigation w/ @samaha.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
▶️ Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions
▶️ Private texts, Magic voicemails
▶️ An equity fight involving a Knicks star
▶️ Kawhi's private airport
Investigation w/ @samaha.bsky.social:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Keefe included himself when saying the team needed to look in a mirror — that was also his message to the team postgame.
Brian Keefe disappointed in his team postgame. Said the Wizards “buckled” when faced with adversity. Calls the defensive performance unacceptable. Said team wasn’t communicating or showing enough defensive intensity.
November 17, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Keefe included himself when saying the team needed to look in a mirror — that was also his message to the team postgame.
The Wizards had a player-only meeting after tonight’s game, Kyshawn George said
November 17, 2025 at 2:07 AM
The Wizards had a player-only meeting after tonight’s game, Kyshawn George said
Brian Keefe disappointed in his team postgame. Said the Wizards “buckled” when faced with adversity. Calls the defensive performance unacceptable. Said team wasn’t communicating or showing enough defensive intensity.
November 17, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Brian Keefe disappointed in his team postgame. Said the Wizards “buckled” when faced with adversity. Calls the defensive performance unacceptable. Said team wasn’t communicating or showing enough defensive intensity.
At the half, Wizards trail 63-53.
Nets shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 8/19 on threes.
MPJ with 19 points. Kyshawn has 14 for Washington.
Nets shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 8/19 on threes.
MPJ with 19 points. Kyshawn has 14 for Washington.
November 17, 2025 at 12:13 AM
At the half, Wizards trail 63-53.
Nets shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 8/19 on threes.
MPJ with 19 points. Kyshawn has 14 for Washington.
Nets shooting 58.3 percent from the field, 8/19 on threes.
MPJ with 19 points. Kyshawn has 14 for Washington.
The Nets entered the game with the 24th best offensive rating in the NBA.
So far today, they're shooting 67.9 percent from the field.
So far today, they're shooting 67.9 percent from the field.
November 16, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The Nets entered the game with the 24th best offensive rating in the NBA.
So far today, they're shooting 67.9 percent from the field.
So far today, they're shooting 67.9 percent from the field.
Kyshawn George has nine points and two assists... but also two fouls.
Upset with the second call, he also earned a technical.
Upset with the second call, he also earned a technical.
November 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Kyshawn George has nine points and two assists... but also two fouls.
Upset with the second call, he also earned a technical.
Upset with the second call, he also earned a technical.
HE GOT ONE!
DUNKS ALL OVER EGOR DEMIN
DUNKS ALL OVER EGOR DEMIN
You guys think Bilal is excited to be back on the court?
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
November 16, 2025 at 11:23 PM
HE GOT ONE!
DUNKS ALL OVER EGOR DEMIN
DUNKS ALL OVER EGOR DEMIN
You guys think Bilal is excited to be back on the court?
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
November 16, 2025 at 11:15 PM
You guys think Bilal is excited to be back on the court?
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
Already had two steals, a block and a couple attempted posters (neither successful)
Wizards are going to start Coulibaly in his first game back.
CJ, Bilal, Kyshawn, Khris, Sarr against the Nets.
CJ, Bilal, Kyshawn, Khris, Sarr against the Nets.
November 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Wizards are going to start Coulibaly in his first game back.
CJ, Bilal, Kyshawn, Khris, Sarr against the Nets.
CJ, Bilal, Kyshawn, Khris, Sarr against the Nets.
Asked Jordi Fernandez how he viewed his role as the coach of a young, rebuilding team:
“If they don’t get better, it’s my fault. And if I don’t get better. It’s my fault.”
“If they don’t get better, it’s my fault. And if I don’t get better. It’s my fault.”
November 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Asked Jordi Fernandez how he viewed his role as the coach of a young, rebuilding team:
“If they don’t get better, it’s my fault. And if I don’t get better. It’s my fault.”
“If they don’t get better, it’s my fault. And if I don’t get better. It’s my fault.”
Bilal will play tn vs. the Nets, per the team
November 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Bilal will play tn vs. the Nets, per the team
Bilal Coulibaly is a game time decision for tn, per Brian Keefe
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Bilal Coulibaly is a game time decision for tn, per Brian Keefe
Bilal Coulibaly is questionable for tomorrow’s game vs the Nets. Brian Keefe said Friday the third year wing is progressing from his calf contusion.
Would be a sorely needed return for the Wizards.
Would be a sorely needed return for the Wizards.
November 15, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Bilal Coulibaly is questionable for tomorrow’s game vs the Nets. Brian Keefe said Friday the third year wing is progressing from his calf contusion.
Would be a sorely needed return for the Wizards.
Would be a sorely needed return for the Wizards.
Tre Johnson hears a voice when he plays. It’s his own. The self-talk is negative. Johnson picks at himself, always wanting more.
At times, Johnson hears his voice differently. It echoes of his father’s.
On Richard Johnson II and III, for @PostSports:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
At times, Johnson hears his voice differently. It echoes of his father’s.
On Richard Johnson II and III, for @PostSports:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The one defender Tre Johnson could never shake was his dad
Father’s tough love helped the Wizards rookie become a pro. Even as their relationship has evolved, dad’s lessons have lingered.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Tre Johnson hears a voice when he plays. It’s his own. The self-talk is negative. Johnson picks at himself, always wanting more.
At times, Johnson hears his voice differently. It echoes of his father’s.
On Richard Johnson II and III, for @PostSports:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
At times, Johnson hears his voice differently. It echoes of his father’s.
On Richard Johnson II and III, for @PostSports:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Fun little battle from picks No. 2 and No. 3 from the 2024 draft.
Alex Sarr in 27 min: 22p, 9/14 from field, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Reed Sheppard in 19 minutes: 18 points, 7/10 shooting, 4/7 from three, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
Alex Sarr in 27 min: 22p, 9/14 from field, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Reed Sheppard in 19 minutes: 18 points, 7/10 shooting, 4/7 from three, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
November 13, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Fun little battle from picks No. 2 and No. 3 from the 2024 draft.
Alex Sarr in 27 min: 22p, 9/14 from field, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Reed Sheppard in 19 minutes: 18 points, 7/10 shooting, 4/7 from three, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
Alex Sarr in 27 min: 22p, 9/14 from field, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Reed Sheppard in 19 minutes: 18 points, 7/10 shooting, 4/7 from three, 3 assists, a steal and a block.
Wizards ended up winning that quarter 33-22. Trail 103-87 entering the final frame.
Brian Keefe is pissed. Barked at Tre Johnson after caling a timeout just 37 seconds into the second half — I think it's because Johnson was beat to an offensive rebound by Josh Okogie.
November 13, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Wizards ended up winning that quarter 33-22. Trail 103-87 entering the final frame.
Brian Keefe is pissed. Barked at Tre Johnson after caling a timeout just 37 seconds into the second half — I think it's because Johnson was beat to an offensive rebound by Josh Okogie.
November 13, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Brian Keefe is pissed. Barked at Tre Johnson after caling a timeout just 37 seconds into the second half — I think it's because Johnson was beat to an offensive rebound by Josh Okogie.
Half: Rockets lead the Wizards, 81-54. Most first-half points the Wizards have allowed this year.
Rockets shooting 55.6 percent from the field and outrebounding the Wizards 33-14.
Sarr has 12p and 6r. Durant has 19p
Rockets shooting 55.6 percent from the field and outrebounding the Wizards 33-14.
Sarr has 12p and 6r. Durant has 19p
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Half: Rockets lead the Wizards, 81-54. Most first-half points the Wizards have allowed this year.
Rockets shooting 55.6 percent from the field and outrebounding the Wizards 33-14.
Sarr has 12p and 6r. Durant has 19p
Rockets shooting 55.6 percent from the field and outrebounding the Wizards 33-14.
Sarr has 12p and 6r. Durant has 19p
The Wizards finally get a defensive rebound... and Alex Sarr is overambitious with a deep pass picked off by Kevin Durant.
Rockets come back with an and-one and a three. They lead 74-48 with about 3 min left in the first half.
Rockets come back with an and-one and a three. They lead 74-48 with about 3 min left in the first half.
November 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
The Wizards finally get a defensive rebound... and Alex Sarr is overambitious with a deep pass picked off by Kevin Durant.
Rockets come back with an and-one and a three. They lead 74-48 with about 3 min left in the first half.
Rockets come back with an and-one and a three. They lead 74-48 with about 3 min left in the first half.
Not sure exactly what but after that Rockets TO, I think Kevin Durant (getting ready to check in at the scorer's table) said something to his former coach Brian Keefe.
The two are extremely close, wrote about their connection last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The two are extremely close, wrote about their connection last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Kevin Durant and Brian Keefe share a bond that runs as deep as any
The superstar had 29 points as the Suns handed the Wizards and their coach a 13th straight loss, 119-109.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Not sure exactly what but after that Rockets TO, I think Kevin Durant (getting ready to check in at the scorer's table) said something to his former coach Brian Keefe.
The two are extremely close, wrote about their connection last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
The two are extremely close, wrote about their connection last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Early returns!
Vuk gets an OREB and fakes a floater before passing to Sarr, who pump-fakes ~1000 times before making a basket through a foul for an and one.
Vuk gets an OREB and fakes a floater before passing to Sarr, who pump-fakes ~1000 times before making a basket through a foul for an and one.
Wizards going double-big for one of the first times this season with Sarr-Vukcevic.
They will play alongside CJ, Corey and Kyshawn
They will play alongside CJ, Corey and Kyshawn
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Early returns!
Vuk gets an OREB and fakes a floater before passing to Sarr, who pump-fakes ~1000 times before making a basket through a foul for an and one.
Vuk gets an OREB and fakes a floater before passing to Sarr, who pump-fakes ~1000 times before making a basket through a foul for an and one.