The Washington Wizards look for their first win of the season Tuesday night as they host the Chicago Bulls in Israeli rookie Deni Avdija’s fourth career game. Avdija, serving as one of Washington’s starting forwards to begin the season, has demonstrated both flashes of offensive excellence as well as expected rookie mistakes in the team’s three opening losses.

Through Avdija’s first three regular-season appearances, the lengthy wing has shown off a perimeter jumper that alone makes him an immediate asset to any playoff contender, knocking down four of his first eight three-point attempts. Aside from his well known shooting touch, the young prospect proved willing and capable of muscling out larger opponents during a nine-rebound performance in Sunday’s loss to Orlando. The increased pace of the NBA game was something Avdija admitted would likely be his biggest challenge throughout his rookie season, and that adjustment has seemed most difficult defensively where he has struggled to stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Eight fouls through Avdija’s first three games are to be expected for a foreign rookie learning to play significant NBA minutes on the fly, even more so with a COVID-19 shortened preseason, yet to have the opportunities necessary to progressively expand his offensive game, the Maccabi star must learn to stick with defenders without fouling.

In terms of his upcoming matchup with Chicago, Avdija will likely face a combination of talented young forwards in rising star Lauri Markkanen and promising first-round draft pick Patrick Williams. Williams, a talented two-way threat out of Florida State, was drafted five spots ahead of Avdija. Both Markkanen and Williams are physically imposing players who will likely attempt to use their larger frames to score on Avdija in the post. For Avdija to be successful, he must find a balance between attempting to utilize his physicality to contest looks and getting into foul trouble. Offensively the Wizards’ lottery selection should find makeable looks from three as a product of the Bulls lacking the perimeter defenders necessary to prevent Washington stars Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal from collapsing the defense before kicking out to forgotten shooters.

Avdija doesn’t need to be a star this season, and he knows this. The Wizards need their rookie to take advantage of the limited opportunities he’s given, and with time comes additional offensive responsibility and teammate trust. Look for Avdija to give the Wizards his best offensive performance to date, barring extensive foul trouble, as the team is desperate for their first victory and face a Chicago team that has been equally woeful to begin the year.

The Wizards host the Bulls both Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 5 p.m. before traveling to Minnesota on Friday.