The Washington Wizards kept the good vibes rolling with an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons in Capital One Arena, good for their second preseason victory in a row. If they get one more, it would be their first winning streak in what feels like decades.
The game had plenty of bright spots, but it also came with a few performances that helped drag things into extra time. AJ Dybantsa was one of the biggest reasons Washington had a strong night.
The rookie looked every bit like a player shutting down pre-draft doubt, finishing with 14 points and getting to the line 10 times. That ability to draw fouls was already part of his game at BYU, and it showed again here.
He also made his presence felt on defense with a steal and active disruption all over the floor.
Bub Carrington, on the other hand, didn’t have the same kind of night after a solid showing in New York. He’s supposed to be a dangerous shooter from deep, but he hit just one of his six three-point attempts.
His defense held up reasonably well, but his offense never really came around, and his playmaking wasn’t strong enough for the backup point guard role. If he wants to stick long term, consistency has to be part of the package.
Justin Champagnie was the kind of steady force Washington needs on a regular basis. Every time he checks in, he seems to make something happen, and this one was no different.
He can score at all three levels, make a play for a teammate, defend, and rebound for his size. In this game, he was the reason we won.
Bilal Coulibaly didn’t have a bad outing, but it still felt like he left something on the table. He finished with just four free throws and never really let his jumper go in 20 minutes.
After putting in all that work on his shot, he looked almost hesitant to use it. The overall performance was solid, but the next step is being more aggressive.
Will Riley also turned in a strong showing and continued building his name as one of the better players in his draft class. After bursting onto the scene last season, he backed up the buzz with 15 points and a few trips to the free-throw line.
His playmaking looked sharper, and the added weight and strength helped him hold up better on defense. It was a really nice performance from the second year onward.
In Other News...
Wizards May Be Building An Identity That Actually Matters
The preseason home opener gave the Wizards a useful first look at how Brian Keefe wants this group to function, and there were encouraging signs all over the floor against Detroit. New veterans and young players both fit into the action, and the offense showed more structure than this roster has often had in recent seasons. The defense was not spotless, but the energy and connectivity were enough to make the night feel like more than a routine exhibition tune-up.
Trae Young helped set that tone early with a flurry of playmaking, while the group still dealt with some turnover issues and the occasional defensive breakdown. Even so, the broader takeaway was harder to miss than the mistakes: Washington looked like a team trying to build habits, not just survive the preseason. For a franchise that has spent plenty of time searching for an identity, that alone makes the next few weeks worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Wizards Showed The Edge Fans Have Been Waiting To See
A preseason game at Capital One Arena took on a sharper edge than most exhibitions, with the Detroit Pistons and Wizards trading baskets in a physical, competitive first half. Even with roster changes on both sides, the game had a little more bite than the usual October tune-up, and several players from each team found the scoreboard in double figures as the pace stayed lively.
The most memorable moment came when tempers flared and bodies got tangled in an altercation that fit the tone of the night. For Washington, that kind of edge is part of what fans have been waiting to see, even if the full picture of how far that toughness can carry this group still has to unfold. [Read more 🡒]
AJ Dybantsa Is Giving The Wizards Offense A Different Look
AJ Dybantsa has given Washington a different kind of look in the preseason, and it starts with how quickly he can turn a defensive stop into offense. The rookie has shown real comfort handling the ball in space, making decisions on the move and finishing plays himself, which is exactly the sort of juice the Wizards have been trying to add after a season that featured too many empty possessions and too much slippage in transition.
What stands out is that Dybantsa is not just pushing the pace for the sake of speed. He has helped create cleaner early offense for Washington while also hinting at a way to cut down on turnovers, a combination that could matter as the roster tries to settle in around its new additions. Preseason is only a first read, but the early signs suggest the Wizards may have found a player who can change the flow of the game before the defense is even set. [Read more 🡒]