After missing four games with a sprained ankle, rookie AJ Dybantsa made his long-awaited debut on Wednesday and led the Washington Wizards in scoring.
Dybantsa finished with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists in a 121-111 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Earning the start, Dybantsa went 8-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-3 from 3-point range, and had just two turnovers in 27 minutes.
The No. 1 overall pick had the most points by a Wizards rookie in their debut since Tom Gugliotta on Nov. 2, 1992 (20), and tied for the fourth-most overall. He was pleased with the performance, though he wished it had come in a win.
"I didn't know what to expect going in," Dybantsa said. "I knew it was going to be a little different
from preseason; I knew it was going to be a little different from summer league. I just tried to go out there and play hard. Tried to get a win; obviously, it didn't happen, but the good part is we have 70-something more."
Dybantsa started off hot, scoring nine points in the first quarter alone, the most by a Wizards rookie in a debut since at least the 1996-97 season. He stayed aggressive on the court, mixing in shots from each level while earning a few trips to the free-throw line.
The 19-year-old Dybantsa became just the seventh top overall pick in history to lead his team in scoring in a debut, joining Paolo Banchero (2022), Anthony Davis (2012), LeBron James (2003), Allen Iverson (1996), David Robinson (1989) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1984).
"I thought he was terrific," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. "You saw his ability to get to the basket on the opening play. His ability to make simple reads; great passing from him. I thought his defensive activity was terrific. Pretty impressive for his first game."
AJ Dybantsa’s NBA journey is officially underway!
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2026
In his @WashWizards debut:
🧙♂️ 19 PTS
🧙♂️ 8-12 FGM pic.twitter.com/5lSPqFutTy
Dybantsa was sidelined for the start of the regular season after sustaining a left ankle sprain in the Wizards' preseason finale on Oct. 16. He received clearance to suit up on Wednesday and played "about in the range" of his minute restriction, Keefe said after the game.
Arriving with much hype, Dybantsa offered a glimpse of why he was touted as a generational prospect. The team was thrilled to get him back on the court and is now eager to see what he has in store for the rest of the season now that he is healthy.
"He played phenomenal," said Anthony Davis, who had 18 points. "He was on a minute restriction, but I think he came out with great energy, getting to the basket, making his shots and doing the things he does defensively. It would have been good to get a win for him, but I think he played really well."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: How did AJ Dybantsa perform in NBA debut? Wizards vs. Cavaliers box score
