AJ Dybantsa leads Wizards to win in Summer League opener

The 2026 NBA Summer League tipped off in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 9, offering the first professional showcase for the league’s newest draft class. The opening day featured seven games at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion, highlighted by the debut of top overall pick AJ Dybantsa.

Dybantsa led the Washington Wizards to a 92-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, finishing with a game-high 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. His performance included an emphatic first-quarter dunk that energized his teammates and a capacity crowd. The matchup was billed as a head-to-head contest with Jazz guard Darryn Peterson, the second overall selection, who scored 24 points but also committed eight turnovers and nine personal fouls. Dybantsa left the game late with leg soreness but indicated the issue was minor.

Elsewhere on opening day, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 105-92 behind 24 points and 12 assists from Zyon Pullin and an 18-point, 12-rebound effort from 2025 first-round pick Joan Beringer. The Atlanta Hawks secured a 93-66 win over the San Antonio Spurs, with No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings distributing eight assists. The...