Why was Trae Young ejected? How Wizards star gets tossed from game before making his Washington debut

Why was Trae Young ejected? How Wizards star gets tossed from game before making his Washington debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nearly two months after he was traded to the Washington Wizards, Trae Young has zero points, rebounds, assists or minutes played with his new team. He does, however, now have an ejection to his name.

That Young hasn't played yet for the Wizards is no surprise, as the team made it clear from early on in the process that his return from injury would take time, but an ejection certainly wasn't planned.

Young was booted from Monday's game against the Houston Rockets in street clothes, just before he is set to make his Wizards debut.

Here's what you need to know about Young's ejection and when he will return to the court.

MORE:Why Jonathan Kuminga has Hawks fans thanking Warriors

Why was Trae Young ejected?

Young came out onto the court during a skirmish between the Wizards and Rockets on Monday, seemingly complaining about the actions of Rockets forward Tari Eason before getting tossed.

Players not actively playing in the game are not allowed to leave the bench area to come out onto the court for any reason. Young was ejected for leaving the bench, and he was forced to walk back to the locker room while wearing street clothes. 

Trae Young gets his first ejection as a Washington Wizard before he's played a game 😅 pic.twitter.com/5bO8VL7CJK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 3, 2026

Eason was also ejected for shoving Young's teammate, Jamir Watkins. 

Trae Young statement

Young addressed his ejection in a postgame tweet, joking not to expect many more ejections from him in a Wizards uniform, but he added that he is "definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I’m back for my brothers!"

Don’t expect me to get ejected too many more times D.C.😂 .. but I’m definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I’m back for my brothers! 🫶🏽

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 3, 2026

Despite the Wizards' struggles in recent years, Young has embraced the organization from day one. Washington was reportedly his preferred destination when the Hawks dangled him in trade talks, and Young showed Monday again that he still cares even as the Wizards fight to reach 20 or 25 wins this season.

Here's what you need to know about his impending return.

MORE: Bill Simmons hints at return date for Jayson Tatum

Has Trae Young played for the Wizards yet?

Young has yet to play for the Wizards as he recovers from a knee sprain and a bruised quad. He has only played 10 games this season, as an MCL injury kept him out for the Hawks for a portion of the season's early months.

There was some thought the Wizards wouldn't bring Young back to the court at all this season as they take aim at a high draft pick, with newly-acquired big man Anthony Davis' status also up in the air, but one of Washington's two deadline additions is returning imminently.

Trae Young trade

The Wizards acquired Young from the Hawks in exchange for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum in early January.

The trade was made with the intention of extending Young in the offseason, as he is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and the two sides are reportedly still expected to come together on a deal.

The Hawks, meanwhile, haven't surged without Young but haven't suffered much, either, sitting at .500 through 62 games. 

NOH:NBA 'shame rankings' for every tanking team

When will Trae Young make his Wizards debut?

Young will make his Wizards debut on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, the Wizards announced Monday.

After taking their time with Young's knee injury, the Wizards will finally get to see one of their two newly-acquired former All-Stars in action for what they hope will be more than a month in a preview of what the team could look like next season.

Trae Young injury

Young has been out with a knee sprain and bruised quad since late December, before the trade to the Wizards.

The former All-Star initially suffered a MCL issue in early November, keeping him off the court for about a month, and he was sidelined again with a knee issue in late December. The Wizards, with their sights firmly on next season, said from the start they would take their time bringing Young back, but he won't sit out all the way until 2026-27. 

Young has played only 10 games this season, all in a Hawks uniform.