Washington Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Wizards interim HC Brian Keefe gets first career win

By Sean Keane | Last updated 1/27/24

It hasn’t been hard to beat the Detroit Pistons this season. But for the 8-37 Washington Wizards and their interim coach, every win is impressive.

Flint native Kyle Kuzma and his #Wizards teammates celebrate interim head coach Brian Keefe's first win as a head coach.

Keefe on Kuz: "He is someone who has great belief in himself and I am someone who is a great believer in him."

"Nice to have a guy from Flint on your team." pic.twitter.com/cjLMzA78oL
— Yousef Nasser (@YousefNasserTV) January 28, 2024

After more than 20 years as an NBA assistant, Brian Keefe was named interim coach for the remainder of the season for the Wizards. Saturday, he got his first win as a head coach and the congratulations of his players — especially fellow Flint, Michigan native Kyle Kuzma.

It was Washington’s eighth win of the season and only their second in January. Two of those wins came against the Pistons, but all wins count the same in the standings.

We’re sure Detroit isn’t apologizing for getting one of their five wins against Washington two weeks ago.

While Keefe is an interim coach, he very well could keep his job after the season. It’s extremely unlikely Washington will be competitive next season as they continue their rebuild, and if the players respond to Keefe, the team could do a lot worse.

Keefe got a strong endorsement this week from D.C. native Kevin Durant, who said the coach “taught me everything I know.”

Strong words from KD on Wizards interim HC Brian Keefe:

“He wouldn’t take any credit for it, but he taught me everything I know.”

“He’s easily one of the most influential guys that I know in this business, in this game, and in life… I got nothing but love and respect for BK” pic.twitter.com/2E0YzlOREl
— Will Clayton (@WillCIayton) January 25, 2024