AJ Dybantsa’s first regular-season game for the Wizards will have to wait.
Washington ruled out the No. 1 overall pick for Friday’s matchup with Toronto, marking the second straight game he’ll miss while he works back from a left ankle sprain suffered in the team’s preseason finale last week in Washington. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported the decision.
The Wizards will also be without big man Tristan Vukcevic, who is dealing with a left hip impingement. Rookie center Felix Okpara is listed as questionable because of an illness.
Elsewhere around the league, the Mavericks are again dealing with multiple absences. Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic, Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin will all miss a second consecutive game with their respective injuries, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Aldama has right knee surgery, Biberovic right heel bursitis, Lively right foot surgery and Martin a right thumb sprain. Two-way player Jett Howard is doubtful with right calf soreness.
Clark noted it’s the first game of a back-to-back for Dallas, and Kyrie Irving is not on the injury report.
In Indiana, backup point guard T.J. McConnell will sit out Friday’s home opener against Dallas after missing the Pacers’ season opener on Wednesday.
The team said McConnell is still bothered by a right hamstring strain. There’s some movement on the rest of the backcourt, though: Aaron Nesmith has been upgraded to questionable with a left hamstring strain, while Ben Sheppard, who played Wednesday, has been downgraded to questionable because of a sore left knee.
Orlando got a more encouraging note with Anthony Black, who was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, though it was described by head coach Sean Sweeney as more of a walkthrough than a hard session. Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel reported that Black is making progress from a right ankle sprain, but he’ll still be out Friday against Minnesota after missing the home opener and the entire preseason. Jonathan Isaac remains out as well, sidelined for injury management involving his left knee.
In Other News...
Obi Toppin May Be Exactly What The Pacers Need Right Now
The Pacers opened the season with a 123-120 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and one of the most encouraging signs came from a player who was supposed to help from the second unit. Obi Toppin gave Indiana a burst of offense off the bench, scoring 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting in 24 minutes while showing the kind of versatility that can make a rotation click.
For a team that wants to keep its tempo high and its lineups balanced, Toppins fit matters beyond one strong night. He gave Indiana scoring, movement and coverage across multiple positions, the sort of backup presence that can settle a bench group and keep the offense flowing when the starters sit. If the Pacers are looking for depth they can trust early, Toppin may already be answering the call. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton Added A Surprise Twist To His Pacers Comeback
Tyrese Haliburtons return gave the Pacers exactly the kind of lift they needed, and it came with a little extra flair before he even stepped on the floor. After recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in June 2025, Haliburton was back in uniform and looked like himself again in his first game back, finishing with 23 points and 12 assists in Indianas win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The night also carried an unexpected pop culture nod. Haliburton showed up in a pregame outfit that paid tribute to WWE star Triple H, and the gesture drew a response from Triple H on social media. For a Pacers team trying to settle back into its rhythm with its point guard leading the way again, it was a reminder that Haliburton can still turn a return game into a moment. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Get One Encouraging Return As Another Injury Concern Lingers
The Bulls did get a bit of good news as the regular season opened, with Zach Collins back after a quad injury and available in a limited role. Head coach Tiago Splitter said the team will have to be careful with Collins minutes, settling him in around 12 to 16 per game while sorting through different rotation combinations and trying to make up for the absence of starting center Nic Claxton.
There is still another layer of concern in Chicago, though, because Josh Giddey said a preseason wrist injury will need to be managed all season. In a Central Division where the Pacers are off to a winning start behind Tyrese Haliburton and rivals around them are already dealing with their own early-season issues, the Bulls are left balancing short-term help with longer-term caution before the calendar even gets going. [Read more 🡒]