Jamir Watkins (left), a former second-round pick, appeared in 50 games as a rookie last season. Ken Blaze / Imagn ImagesJuly 30, 2026 Updated 5:22 pm EDTWashington Wizards wing Jamir Watkins underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL in his left knee and could miss the entire 2026-27 season.As a rookie last season, Watkins established himself as one of the Wizards’ most energetic and physical perimeter defenders. He had signed a two-way contract this offseason and was expected to compete for occasional minutes off the bench.Watkins, 25, suffered the injury July 9, during the Wizards’ NBA Summer League opener against the Utah Jazz.
With 8:40 remaining in the first quarter, Watkins was guarding second overall pick Darryn Peterson as Peterson brought the ball upcourt and unleashed a crossover before launching a stepback 3. Watkins was matching Peterson stride for stride and may have slipped on a wet spot on the court. Watkins immediately clutched at his left knee.Watkins was subbed out but returned to the exhibition game and wound up playing nearly 20 minutes.He did not play in any of Washington’s four subsequent summer-league games.Riley J. Williams III, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, performed Watkins’ ACL repair at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, Wizards officials said.Watkins started seven of the 50 regular-season games he appeared in as a rookie. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while he shot 29.7 percent from 3-point range.
