AJ Dybantsa was a player worth waiting for.
The rookie for the Wizards finally took the court on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the team’s first four games due to a sprained ankle. Fans of the Wizards must have appreciated what they witnessed.
Dybantsa made a quick impact right from the beginning, leading the Wizards with 19 points.
He aimed to make a statement with an assertive drive to the basket on his first possession in the NBA right after the opening tip. Although he didn’t manage to secure the dunk, he was fouled and successfully converted both free throws, marking his initial NBA points.
There was no denying Dybantsa on his second dunk attempt.
The agile 6-foot-9 forward maneuvered behind the Cavaliers’ defense during a transition play. Trae Young recognized him from afar and fired off a pass that Dybantsa emphatically threw down from the baseline.
By the conclusion of the first quarter, Dybantsa had accumulated nine points, hitting all three of his attempts that featured a 3-pointer and a challenging floater through traffic.
His energetic offensive performance showcased why he was the top scorer in college basketball, earned first-team All-American honors as a freshman, and became the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. This contributed to Washington advancing to a 42-34 lead at the end of the first quarter.
While the Wizards ultimately lost that lead in a 121-111 defeat against the Cavaliers, Dybantsa’s efforts throughout the game remained impressive.
He recorded yet another alley-oop slam for his first basket of the second half, prompting the Cavaliers to call for a timeout.
He concluded the game with 19 points, alongside 2 assists and 2 rebounds. He achieved this on 8-of-12 shooting from the field (1 of 3 from 3) demonstrating notable efficiency in his inaugural regular-season NBA game.
In a lineup that includes several All-Stars, including Young and Anthony Davis, Dybantsa played assertively, found his opportunities, and didn’t rush his shots. He ended up being Washington’s top scorer, while Davis and Alex Sarr each scored 18 points, and Young contributed 14. Bilal Coulibaly added 17 points from the bench.
Dybantsa is joining a Wizards squad with seasoned All-Stars while already establishing himself as a star. Observing how he integrates into and influences the lineup as a rookie will undoubtedly be interesting this season as Washington aims to make a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Despite the loss in his debut, the Wizards certainly left pleased with what they saw from him on Wednesday night.
