Wizards’ Tre Johnson impresses in his confident NBA Summer League debut

It's cautioned against drawing definitive career conclusions from NBA Summer League debuts, though these games can reveal player capabilities and weaknesses. In the Washington Wizards' 2025 Summer League opener against the Phoenix Suns, lottery pick Tre Johnson showcased a key trait for shooting success: confidence. He scored 18 points, making 3 of his 5 three-point attempts, and expressed feeling no nervousness afterward.

Johnson demonstrated his shooting prowess early, sinking his first three-pointer. He positioned himself well, received a pass from Kyshawn George, and hit a shot over the outstretched arm of 6-foot-11 defender Oso Ighodaro, utilizing his noted high release point effectively. Wizards summer-league head coach J.J. Outlaw confirmed Johnson's composure, stating, "He doesn’t have nerves."

Despite Johnson's performance, the Wizards suffered a 103-84 defeat. The loss itself held little significance, but the team's lack of physicality was concerning, especially after Outlaw emphasized goals of being the "most physical" and "most selfless" team. He acknowledged they weren't selfish but were clearly "out-physicaled."

Key players underperformed early. Alex Sarr, fourth in the previous season's Rookie of the Year voting, was ineffective in the first half against rookie Khaman Maluach, gathering zero rebounds or blocks in 15 minutes. Sarr improved somewhat after halftime, finishing with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but admitted he should have attacked the game more aggressively from the start, embodying the team's initial lack of force. Kyshawn George stood out as Washington's best player, scoring 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, along with 7 rebounds and 3 steals, though he also committed 5 turnovers.