Tuesday, November 03, 2026
Sports

AJ Dybantsa scores 19 points in NBA debut as Wizards fall to Cavaliers

Rive News Research Desk

Published · 4 min read

Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →

Key takeaways

  • AJ Dybantsa scored 19 points in his NBA debut on Oct. 28, leading the Washington Wizards.
  • His 19 points are the most by a Wizards rookie in a debut since 1992.
  • The Wizards lost 121-111 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His home debut is Friday.
NBA arena during a basketball game
An NBA arena during a game. File photo used because no free photo of the actual debut game existsPhotograph: Wikimedia CommonsImage: Wikimedia Commons

AJ Dybantsa played his first NBA game on Wednesday night. The Washington Wizards lost 121-111 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Dybantsa was the best scorer on his team.

The No. 1 pick scored 19 points in 27 minutes.

What happened

Dybantsa missed the first four games of the season. He sprained his left ankle in the preseason finale on Oct. 16.

USA Today reported he hurt the ankle in an awkward landing against New Orleans.

He started at shooting guard against Cleveland. Just 16 seconds into the game, he drove past James Harden. Jarrett Allen fouled him at the basket.

Dybantsa made both free throws for his first NBA points.

Nine of his points came in the first quarter. Sportradar tracked the record, as Sportsnet reported. No Wizards rookie had more first-quarter points in a debut since at least 1996-97.

His first basket was an alley-oop. Trae Young threw the lob pass from past half court.

Dybantsa finished 8 of 12 from the field. He went 1 of 3 from three-point range. He added two rebounds and two assists.

He also had two turnovers.

Before the debut, he played four preseason games. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in those games. He shot 43.9 percent from the field, per USA Today.

AJ Dybantsa's debut stats

  • Points: 19
  • Field goals: 8 of 12
  • Three-pointers: 1 of 3
  • Rebounds: 2
  • Assists: 2
  • Turnovers: 2
  • Minutes played: 27

Why it matters

The 19 points set a club milestone. It is the most by a Wizards rookie in a debut in over 30 years. Tom Gugliotta scored 20 against Charlotte in 1992.

It is tied for the fourth-most points by a rookie in his first game in team history.

He also joined rare company. He became one of only seven No. 1 picks in NBA history to lead his team in scoring in a debut.

LeBron James did it in 2003. Paolo Banchero did it in 2022.

Cleveland still won the game. Evan Mobley scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Peyton Watson added 22 points.

The win was Cleveland's 17th straight against Washington.

Coach Brian Keefe praised the rookie's game, according to Sportsnet. "I thought he was terrific," he said. The coach also liked Dybantsa's defense and passing.

Dybantsa stayed calm after the game. "I was just trying to be aggressive from the jump," he said. He added that scoring at the rim has always been his game.

The debut also fits Washington's rebuild plan. Dybantsa was the top pick in the 2026 draft. He played one year at BYU.

He led the nation with 25.5 points per game there. He is one of three top overall picks on the roster. The others are Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton.

Playing next to stars like Davis and Trae Young should help him. Defenses focus on them first. That gives Dybantsa easier looks.

SI noted the minutes limit. Even so, the rookie showed room for himself in the offense.

The Wizards drafted Dybantsa first overall in June 2026. SI reported they picked him over Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. That choice drew heavy attention.

A strong debut quiets the early doubts.

For more on the new NBA season, see the 2026-27 NBA season start guide. For the bigger picture, read the NBA standings season preview.

AJ Dybantsa in 2024
AJ Dybantsa in 2024, before his NBA career. File photo, not from the debut gamePhotograph: imanisvisionImage: Wikimedia Commons

What happens next

Dybantsa is expected to make his home debut on Friday. The Wizards host the Charlotte Hornets in Washington. The game is at Capital One Arena at 7 in the evening, Eastern time.

He will likely stay on a minutes limit for now. Coach Keefe said the 27 minutes were "about in the range they wanted." The limit exists because he just came back from the ankle injury.

One thing to watch is his free throws. He shot only two free throws in the debut. SI reported that number should grow as he gets used to NBA contact.

Dybantsa himself said he wants to add a floater and a mid-range shot to his game.

The Wizards are 2-3 this season. That is already better than last year. They started last season 1-15.

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said this is "a different Washington team."

Charlotte beat Washington 110-103 on Monday. Dybantsa sat out that game. Friday is a rematch, this time at home.

A Raptors-Wizards preview for this week's games is here.

One strong game does not make a career. But 19 points in 27 minutes is a real start. Friday's home debut will show whether he can do it again.

TaggedAJ DybantsaWashington WizardsNBA

Related stories