AJ Dybantsa didn’t need long to make his presence felt in his NBA debut.
AJ DYBANTSA FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) October 28, 2026
9 POINTS
1 ASSIST
1 THREE
3/3 FG
6 MINUTES
AJ DYBANTSA IS THE GREATEST PLAYER IVE EVER SEEN 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/1PTnPtCKhx
The Washington Wizards rookie stepped into the league Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland and came away with 19 points in a 121-111 loss. After missing the first four games of the 2026-27 season with a sprained ankle, the former BYU Cougars standout finally got on the floor and made the most of it.
Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was efficient from the start. He shot 8-for-12 from the field in 27 minutes as a starter, while also collecting two rebounds and two assists. He also got off to a strong opening quarter, scoring nine points and showing off his ability to create his own looks.
One of the night’s best moments came when Wizards point guard Trae Young found him for an alley-oop finish, a glimpse of how the two could connect offensively. Dybantsa also showed a little range, knocking down one of his three attempts from beyond the arc.
He wasn’t asked to carry a heavy workload, but he still finished as Washington’s leading scorer. Dybantsa did have a couple of turnovers, though the overall impression was clear: the Wizards got a promising look at their rookie in his first NBA game.
Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr each scored 18 points for Washington, while Young added 14. The loss dropped the Wizards to 2-3 through five games.
Washington will try to bounce back Friday at Capital One Arena, when it hosts the Charlotte Hornets.
In Other News...
AJ Dybantsa Already Changes The Alex Sarr Conversation In Washington
AJ Dybantsas first game in a Wizards uniform gave Washington something it has been searching for around its young core: easy offense. After sitting out more than a week with an ankle injury, the top prospect showed real scoring touch and a smoother offensive flow than the team has seen at times from its recent lottery picks. For a franchise trying to sort out its future, that kind of instant comfort on the floor matters just as much as the points themselves.
It also inevitably shifts the lens on Alex Sarr, the second overall pick, whose early NBA minutes have come with uneven shooting and a limited offensive imprint. Washington has surrounded its young players with more help, including Trae Young and Anthony Davis, but Dybantsas debut reminded everyone how quickly a new face can change the internal conversation. The larger question now is whether that first impression becomes a one-night burst or the start of something more reliable. [Read more 🡒]
Kyshawn George Just Gave The Wizards A Needed Backcourt Boost
Kyshawn Georges latest outing against Cleveland gave the Wizards a welcome glimpse of how much more flexible their offense can look when another ball-handler starts to settle in. In a game where Washington leaned heavily on its primary creators, George was on the floor for long stretches and handled the ball with enough comfort to ease some of the burden on the rest of the backcourt.
His playmaking stood out even in a loss, with George showing the kind of vision and poise that can help Washingtons depth take shape as the season moves along. The scoring was modest, but the bigger takeaway was how naturally he fit into the flow of the offense, a development the Wizards can use as they try to find more reliable support around Young. [Read more 🡒]