Sports · Basketball · 5 hrs ago
AJ Dybantsa scores 19 in NBA debut as Wizards lose to Cavaliers
Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa scored 19 points in his NBA debut on Wednesday in Cleveland.
The No.
1 pick in the June draft started at shooting guard and played 26 minutes after missing the first four games with a sprained ankle.
The Cavaliers beat the Wizards 121-111, extending their winning streak against Washington to 17 games.
Dybantsa’s 19 points were the most by a Wizards player in a career debut since Tom Gugliotta scored 20 in 1992.
Cleveland came back in the second half after Washington had led by 13 early in the third quarter.
Evan Mobley scored 24 points for the Cavaliers, while Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr each had 18 for Washington.
The sources do not say what comes next for Dybantsa or the teams.
AJ Dybantsa made his NBA debut for the Washington Wizards in a 121-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The No. 1 draft pick scored 19 points, leading Washington.
Dybantsa started at shooting guard and played 26 minutes after missing the first four games with a sprained ankle.
Cleveland rallied in the second half and extended its winning streak over Washington to 17 games.
Dybantsa’s 19 points were the most by a Wizards player in a career debut since Tom Gugliotta scored 20 in 1992.
- Who
- AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards faced the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- What
- Dybantsa made his NBA debut and scored 19 points in Washington’s 121-111 loss.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Cleveland.
- Why
- Dybantsa had been cleared to play after missing Washington’s first four games with a sprained ankle.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dybantsa missed the Wizards’ first four games because of a sprained ankle.
Dybantsa was cleared to play and made his NBA debut against Cleveland.
Dybantsa scored 19 points as the Wizards lost 121-111 to the Cavaliers.
- Debut
- October 28, 2026
- Teams
- Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers
- Final score
- Cavaliers 121, Wizards 111
- Dybantsa’s points
- 19
- Playing time
- 26 minutes
- Injury
- Sprained ankle
11 sources
AJ Dybantsa paces Wizards in rookie debut loss to Cavaliers
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa scores 19 in NBA debut as Wizards fall to Cavaliers
Top pick Dybantsa scores 19 points in NBA debut for Wizards
Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa To Make Debut On Wednesday
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Update: AJ Dybantsa has been upgraded to available for tonight's matchup.
WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE AJ DYBANTSA 😤 (via @NBA)