Washington Wizards star Trae Young earned his first ejection with his new team before ever suiting up for them after he left the bench early in Monday’s 123-118 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The ejection comes hours after Young announced on social media that he’s set to make his official debut for the Wizards on Thursday night at home vs. the Utah Jazz.
Young has not yet played for the Wizards since being traded to Washington from Atlanta on Jan. 7 and was on the bench in street clothes for Monday’s game.
Young stepped out onto the court in protest after a push by Rockets forward Tari Eason went uncalled late in the third quarter. Young was assessed a technical foul and ejected. Eason was also ejected for his role in the play.
Thursday’s game would be Young’s first game action since Dec. 27, as he has been sidelined by MCL and quad injuries in his right leg. Wizards coach Brian Keefe said Young is expected to play 17-20 minutes in the debut.
A four-time All-Star, Young is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games this season.
At 16-44, the Wizards are deep into a rebuild, but hope the in-season acquisitions of Young and Anthony Davis will help the franchise rebound in the future. Davis, who was traded to Washington by the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 4, has not yet made his Wizards debut.
