Wizards' Julian Reese Impresses in Second NBA Start

The former Maryland standout showed more comfort and efficiency after a foul-plagued debut.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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After a whirlwind first 48 hours in the league, Julian Reese looked more comfortable in his second game with the Washington Wizards. Two nights after starting his NBA debut and battling foul trouble, the former Maryland standout delivered a steadier outing in a 126-109 loss to the Orlando Magic, logging 33 minutes and finishing with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting, eight rebounds (three offensive), three assists and one turnover.

Why it matters

Reese's performance highlights the Wizards' need for frontcourt depth, as they continue to deal with injuries to Alex Sarr and Tristan Vukcevic. If Reese can continue to rebound at a high rate and finish efficiently around the rim, he could earn more minutes and solidify his role on the team.

The details

In his NBA debut on Monday against the Houston Rockets, Reese scored two points on 1-of-3 shooting with four rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes before fouling out. In his second game against the Magic, Reese battled against a physical frontcourt anchored by Paolo Banchero and Goga Bitadze, showing his rebounding and toughness that the Wizards valued when they signed him to a two-way deal.

  • Reese made his NBA debut on Monday, March 4, 2026.
  • Reese played his second NBA game on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Julian Reese

A former standout at the University of Maryland who was signed by the Washington Wizards to a two-way contract.

Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic's star rookie who scored 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting against the Wizards.

Goga Bitadze

The Orlando Magic's starting center who matched up against Reese in the frontcourt.

Adam Keefe

The head coach of the Washington Wizards who praised Reese's rebounding and physicality after signing him.

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What they’re saying

“He's going to give us some physicality inside with his rebounding. He's a great rebounder so we added some insurance underneath on the boards. We're excited to have him.”

— Adam Keefe, Head Coach, Washington Wizards (247sports.com)

“It was pretty easy, just being a guy who can set the table for the super-stars, being a dirty-work guy, getting all the rebounds, and just affecting the game in many ways other than scoring. I came off the bench, played like 17 minutes a game, just trying to make any impact I can and just trying to learn from other guys.”

— Julian Reese (247sports.com)

What’s next

With Alex Sarr and Tristan Vukcevic still dealing with injuries, the Wizards will continue to rely on Reese to provide frontcourt depth and physicality. If he can maintain his rebounding and efficiency, he could earn more minutes and solidify his role on the team.

The takeaway

Julian Reese's steady performance in his second NBA start, after a foul-plagued debut, showcases his potential to be a valuable role player for the Wizards. His ability to rebound, defend, and make an impact without scoring could make him an important piece as the team navigates injuries in the frontcourt.