Dybantsa Scores 19 in NBA Debut as Wizards Fall to Cavaliers

AJ Dybantsa scored a team-high 19 points in his NBA debut Wednesday, but the Washington Wizards lost 121-111 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rookie, selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, played 27 minutes and shot 8 of 12 from the field, adding two rebounds and two assists. Dybantsa opened his professional scoring at the free-throw line after drawing a foul 16 seconds into the game. He made both shots and finished the first quarter with nine points. He started at shooting guard, according to the game account, and also recorded two turnovers. The Wizards led 69-59 at halftime and were ahead by 13 points in the third quarter before Cleveland rallied. Evan Mobley scored 24 points for the Cavaliers, and Peyton Watson added 22. Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr each had 18 points for Washington. Dybantsa’s 19 points were the most by a Wizards rookie in an NBA debut since Tom Gugliotta scored 20 in 1992, according to a comparison credited to Sportradar. His nine first-quarter points were the most by a Wizards rookie in a debut since at least the 1996-97 season, the same comparison said. The 19-year-old had missed Washington’s first four regular-season games after spraining his...