Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa will miss Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks because of an ankle injury, head coach Brian Keefe announced.
The 19-year-old rookie, selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, suffered a mild left ankle sprain during the second quarter of Washington’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Keefe said Dybantsa remains day-to-day, making Friday’s home game against the Toronto Raptors his earliest potential opportunity to make his official NBA debut, according to reports from ESPN and NBA insider Marc Stein.
Preseason setback delays anticipated debut
Dybantsa was hurt after landing awkwardly on his left ankle following a jump shot against the Pelicans. He walked off the court with a limp and headed directly to the locker room. The Wizards held him out for the rest of the game as a precaution. Before the exit, the 6-foot-9 forward scored 12 points and grabbed two rebounds across 15 minutes of action.
Despite the opening-night absence, Dybantsa appears to be making steady progress. He participated in light on-court shooting drills on Monday and was present for portions of team practice on Tuesday, according to Locked on Wizards reporter Ben Strober and Yahoo Sports.
Throughout the preseason, Dybantsa demonstrated the scoring ability that made him the top selection ahead of collegiate stars Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Over four preseason appearances, Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.9 percent from the field, scoring at least 11 points in every game.
Rebuilding Wizards lean on veteran core
Washington entered the season carrying heightened expectations after struggling in recent campaigns. The Wizards failed to reach 20 wins in each of the past three seasons, Bleacher Report noted, but the franchise has substantially revamped its roster over the past year.
Along with drafting Dybantsa, the Wizards paired young talent such as Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George with experienced veterans. The team previously added Anthony Davis and Trae Young, followed by offseason acquisitions of Deandre Ayton and Khris Middleton.
Before the draft, Dybantsa spent one season at BYU, where he averaged more than 25 points and six assists per game. His entry into the league drew wide praise, with analysts comparing his talent ceiling to recent top prospects Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg.
Wednesday’s matchup in Washington also marks a new era for the visiting Bucks, who will play their first official contest since trading franchise pillar Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.
Wizards officials have not committed to an exact date for Dybantsa’s return to the court. His availability for Friday’s game against Toronto is expected to depend on how his ankle responds to increased activity in the coming days.
