Carlton Carrington last 10 games: Why the Wizards rookie is hitting a wall

Carlton Carrington last 10 games: Why the Wizards rookie is hitting a wall

Bub Carrington is having a weird month. Honestly, if you’ve been tracking the Washington Wizards lately, you know the vibe is all over the place. One night, the kid looks like the clear-cut future of DC's backcourt, raining triples and slinging dimes like a seasoned vet. The next? He's struggling to find the bottom of the net, looking every bit like a 20-year-old trying to survive the January NBA grind.

The Carlton Carrington last 10 games stretch tells a story of a player caught between two roles. He’s bouncing in and out of the starting lineup, dealing with the arrival of veterans, and trying to keep his shooting percentages from cratering.

The Stat Sheet Breakdown

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Over his last 10 appearances, Carrington is averaging roughly 11.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. On the surface, those are solid "winning basketball" numbers for a young guard. But the consistency? It’s basically non-existent.

Take the January 7th game against the 76ers. Bub was a flamethrower. He logged nearly 40 minutes, dropped 18 points, and hit 5-of-10 from deep. He looked confident. He was navigating screens with purpose. Then, just a week later against the Clippers on January 14th, the wheels kinda fell off. He finished with just 4 points on a brutal 1-of-11 shooting night.

That’s the rookie experience in a nutshell.

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Shooting Slumps and Starting Roles

The biggest hurdle for Carrington right now is his efficiency. During this 10-game window, his field goal percentage has hovered around the high 30s. He’s finding his rhythm from three—averaging over two makes per game—but the "in-between" game is where things get sticky.

He loves that pull-up jumper. In fact, about 50% of his scoring comes from pull-ups. When they're falling, he looks like Spencer Dinwiddie with more upside. When they aren't? The Wizards' offense stalls.

What’s interesting is how much better he plays when he starts. Check the split:

  • As a Starter: He averages about 12.7 points and 5.4 assists.
  • Off the Bench: Those numbers dip significantly, especially the playmaking.

The Wizards moved him back to the bench recently to make room for returning vets and lineup experiments. It’s clear he’s still adjusting to that "spark plug" role versus being the primary floor general.

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Why the Assists Matter

If you’re looking for a silver lining in the Carlton Carrington last 10 games log, look at the passing. Even when his shot is broken, the kid can pass. He’s had multiple games with 7 assists recently (against the Clippers, Suns, and Sixers).

He has this natural ability to see over the defense. At 6'4" (some listings say 6'6" with that wingspan), he isn't easily rattled by ball pressure. He’s finding Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr in spots where they can actually succeed. For a team in a deep rebuild, that chemistry is probably more important than whether Bub shoots 30% or 40% from the field in mid-January.

Recent Game Log Highlights:

  1. Jan 14 @ LAC: 4 PTS, 7 AST, 5 REB (1/11 FG) - Rough shooting, great vision.
  2. Jan 11 @ PHO: 9 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB - Steady, but the scoring wasn't there.
  3. Jan 7 @ PHI: 18 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB (5/10 3PT) - The season highlight.
  4. Jan 1 vs MIL: 20 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB (6/11 3PT) - Career-high night from deep.

The "Rookie Wall" or Just Growing Pains?

Is he hitting a wall? Maybe. You've got to remember he’s only 20. The NBA season is a marathon of travel, back-to-backs, and scouting reports that get progressively harder as teams figure out your tendencies.

Teams are starting to run him off the three-point line. They know he wants that mid-range pull-up. The next step for Bub is learning how to get to the rim and draw contact. Right now, he isn't getting to the free-throw line nearly enough, averaging barely over one attempt per game lately.

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What to Watch For Next

If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, keep an eye on his minutes. When he crosses the 30-minute mark, his production almost always jumps into double-digit scoring territory.

The Wizards are in a weird spot. They’re losing games, but the development of Carrington is the real "win" they’re hunting for. Expect his usage to fluctuate as the trade deadline approaches and the roster potentially shifts again.

Next Steps for Bub Fans:

  • Monitor his Free Throw Rate: If he starts getting to the line 4-5 times a game, his scoring floor will rise.
  • Watch his Defensive Matchups: He’s shown flashes of being a versatile defender, but consistency on that end is still a work in progress.
  • Follow the Lineup Changes: If he earns that starting spot back permanently, his "last 10 games" stats will likely look a lot sexier by February.

Keep an eye on the upcoming road trip. Playing in high-altitude spots like Denver or against fast-paced teams like Sacramento will be the ultimate test for his conditioning and decision-making under pressure. It's not always pretty, but that's exactly how growth looks in the NBA.