Locals in the NBA: Ankle injury delays former BYU star AJ Dybantsa’s NBA debut
Oct 20, 2026, 12:25 PM
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will miss Washington's 2026-27 season opener against Milwaukee with an ankle injury. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – AJ Dybantsa‘s NBA regular-season debut will have to wait.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft will miss the Washington Wizards’ season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks after injuring his left ankle in the preseason finale. The former BYU star is day-to-day.
AJ Dybantsa injured his ankle on this play
Dybantsa limped into the locker room 💔 https://t.co/FAWx312K03
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) October 17, 2026
The injury puts Washington’s first regular-season look at Dybantsa alongside Anthony Davis and Trae Young on hold. After a promising preseason, he is expected to play a central role in the Wizards’ push to become a playoff contender.
Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in four preseason games, flashing the length, playmaking and shot creation that made him the top pick. He also showed signs of a developing frontcourt connection with Davis.
AJ Dybantsa is playing hungry 😤 https://t.co/mH4H7ZI6NQ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 11, 2026
But an awkward landing in the preseason finale sent Dybantsa limping to the locker room, interrupting his preparation for his first NBA season.
Washington hosts the Toronto Raptors on Friday before visiting the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, Oct. 24. Dybantsa’s availability beyond the opener remains uncertain.
RELATED STORIES
About AJ Dybantsa
Dybantsa arrived in Washington after one of BYU’s most productive scoring seasons.
In his lone season with the Cougars, he averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 51% from the field, 33.1% from the 3-point line, and 77.4% from the free-throw line.
AJ Dybantsa showcased his skills in his NBA preseason debut 👏
11 PTS
4 STL (game-high)The @WashWizards pick up the road win! https://t.co/0GkIB1zQZv
— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2026
His greatest strength was scoring inside the arc. Shots at the rim accounted for 40% of his field goal attempts, and he converted 69% of those opportunities. Another 34% of his attempts came from midrange, where he shot nearly 45%.
That production came in several ways. Dybantsa scored more than 100 points in each of five offensive play types: as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, in transition, on spot-ups, in the post, and in isolation.
His versatility gives Washington options. He can create his own shot, attack in transition, or work off the ball while Young directs the offense and Davis anchors the frontcourt.
AJ DYBANTSA‼️ https://t.co/x0a5HQNotz
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 13, 2026
His 3-point shooting remains an area to watch. Although he made 33.1% of his attempts at BYU, developing a more consistent outside shot will be important as he adjusts to NBA defenses. Playing alongside Young and Davis could give him more opportunities without requiring him to create every look himself.
Dybantsa’s preseason offered a glimpse of what he could bring to Washington. The next step is turning those flashes into regular-season production — but first, the Wizards’ top pick needs to get back on the floor.
Follow Locals in the NBA with KSL Sports
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; give us a follow @kslsports.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
