The Washington Wizards made a strategic lineup change for their game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday by moving Jordan Poole to the bench. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly took Poole's starting spot alongside Tyus Jones, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, and Marvin Bagley III. Despite the Wizards' efforts, they suffered a 130-110 defeat, extending their losing streak to nine games. Poole, scoring 18 points on 4-of-17 shooting off the bench, received praise from interim head coach Brian Keefe, who emphasized that the move was not a negative reflection on Poole's performance.

Keefe shared, "It's really a positive. It's actually a credit to Jordan," highlighting Poole's positive impact on the team's net ratings. The decision to place Poole on the bench aims to give him a leading role in the second unit as the primary decision-maker and offensive engine. While the transition might not be ideal for the 24-year-old guard, who previously signed a four-year, $128 million extension with the Golden State Warriors before being traded to the Wizards, Keefe expressed confidence in Poole's ability to adapt for the team's success.

Poole's performance has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding shot selection, leading to a dip in scoring averages this season compared to his breakout year in 2020-21 with the Warriors. Despite the challenges, Poole has shown resilience throughout his career, bouncing back from setbacks such as being sent to the G League after being a first-round pick in 2019. Keefe emphasized the importance of Poole's role in elevating the team's performance and sees the lineup change as an opportunity for Poole to showcase his skills and contribute to the team's improvement.