Wizards' Top Draft Pick AJ Dybantsa Suffers Ankle Injury in Preseason Finale
The highly-touted rookie was seen limping off the court during the Washington Wizards' final preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Washington Wizards experienced an injury scare Friday night when No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa left their preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans with an ankle injury. The 19-year-old rookie appeared to twist his left ankle in the second quarter after landing awkwardly on a jump shot.
Dybantsa was observed clutching his lower leg before exiting the game and heading to the locker room with the team's medical staff. While footage circulating on social media showed the player appearing to indicate he was "good" as he left the court under his own power, the team officially ruled him out for the second half with a left ankle sprain. Wizards television broadcaster Chris Miller reported that the decision to keep Dybantsa sidelined was a precautionary measure.
Precautionary Sidelining and Rookie Performance
Rookie guard Tre Johnson replaced Dybantsa in the starting lineup for the third quarter, according to head coach Brian Keefe. Before the injury, Dybantsa had recorded 12 points, three rebounds, and a block in 15 minutes of first-half action, shooting 4-for-8 from the floor, including one three-pointer.
The injury comes just five days before the start of the 2026-27 NBA regular season. Dybantsa, whom the Wizards selected with the top pick in June's draft, is considered the future of the franchise. The team's wing depth will be tested, especially with other players managing minutes following a busy preseason and the offseason addition of Anthony Davis.
Washington is set to open its regular season schedule on Wednesday night on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks.