Wizards rule AJ Dybantsa out of Bucks opener with ankle injury
Washington's No. 1 draft pick will miss Wednesday's home game against Milwaukee after injuring his left ankle in the preseason finale. Coach Brian Keefe described him as day-to-day.
Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa has been ruled out of the team's home season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 21, because of a sprained ankle, delaying the NBA debut of the 2026 draft's No. 1 pick. Head coach Brian Keefe described Dybantsa as day-to-day, according to Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports.
Dybantsa injured his left ankle during Washington's preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Oct. 16. Sportsnet reported that he twisted it in the second quarter and left the game; Yahoo Sports said he landed awkwardly after taking a shot, limped to the locker room and did not return. Keefe said keeping him out for the rest of that game was a precaution, according to Yahoo Sports.
When AJ Dybantsa could play for the Wizards
Dybantsa took part in shooting drills on Monday and was seen at Tuesday's practice, Yahoo Sports reported. Those appearances did not change his status for the opener. Washington's next game is at home against the Toronto Raptors on Friday, Oct. 23, but it is not yet clear whether he will be available. NBC Sports also identified Friday as his next chance to play, citing NBA insider Marc Stein for its report that he would miss Wednesday's game.
What Dybantsa showed in the preseason
The 19-year-old forward was drafted first overall out of BYU, making him Washington's first No. 1 pick since John Wall in 2010 and the seventh in franchise history, according to Sportsnet. He appeared in four preseason games, averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 21.7 minutes per game. Sportsnet put his true shooting percentage at 50.8%. The ankle injury came in his final exhibition before the regular season.
The Wizards' opener will still feature changes to their lineup. Sportsnet reported that 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis is set to make his Washington debut against Milwaukee, alongside Trae Young and younger players including Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George. The team enters the season seeking its first campaign of more than 20 wins since 2022-23 and an end to a five-year playoff drought. Dybantsa's absence means its top draft pick will have to wait to join that effort in a regular-season game.
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Sources and context
- AJ Dybantsa ruled out by Wizards for season opener vs. Bucks due to ankle injuryYahoo Sports; story by Sean Leahy
- Wizards No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa ruled out for season opener vs. BucksSportsnet
- AJ Dybantsa (ankle) ruled out for season openerNBC Sports; report attributed to NBA insider Marc Stein
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.