A new era is about to begin for the Washington Wizards with No. 1 overall pick A.J. Dybantsa now on the team. However, fans will have to wait before getting to see their new franchise player.
Dybantsa went down with an injury in his final preseason game, putting his status for the Wizards' first game of the season in jeopardy. While Washington hoped Dybantsa would be ready to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, it was a tight turnaround for a potential ankle sprain.
Dybantsa will have plenty of time this year to show off why he was the top pick in the NBA draft, as the injury doesn't appear to be serious. Still, it is a bummer for the fans that Dybantsa got hobbled so close to the start of the regular season.
Here's an update on Dybantsa's status for Wednesday night.
A.J. Dybantsa injury update
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe declared A.J. Dybantsa out for Wednesday night's opening game against the Bucks. Dybantsa has been dealing with an ankle injury and is considered day-to-day, so the rookie is not expected to miss too much time.
Breaking: AJ Dybantsa will miss the Wizards season opener against the Bucks, head coach Brian Keefe announced. He will be day-to-day with an ankle injury. https://t.co/ujYJ30rZyz
— ESPN (@espn) October 20, 2026Dybantsa appeared to suffer the injury in Washington's final preseason game vs. the New Orleans Pelicans last Friday. The forward rolled his ankle after shooting a jump shot and limped off the court before heading back to the locker room.
AJ Dybantsa went to the locker room after appearing to roll his ankle on this play. https://t.co/GwI5EJMipp
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 17, 2026Dybantsa was very durable last season at BYU, playing 35 games for the Cougars in his lone collegiate season.
After opening the season on Wednesday night, the Wizards have off on Thursday but are set for back-to-back games on Friday night vs. the Toronto Raptors and Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls. Washington will likely not rush Dybantsa back early in the season, especially with three games in four days this week.
