No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa exits Wizards’ preseason game with ankle injury
No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa exits Wizards' preseason game with ankle injury.
No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa exits Wizards' preseason game with ankle injury.
Article outline
- What happened
- The details
- What comes next
- The bottom line
Key points
- USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts ranked the top 100 NBA players for the 2026-27 season and put LeBron james just inside the top 209.
- 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, AJ Dybantsa, was forced to leave the Washington Wizards' preseason matchup Friday, Oct.
- 19 best player in NBA heading into the 2026-27 season.
- Prior to his exit, Dybantsa put up 12 points in just 15 minutes.
- More: What should Lakers, fans expect from Bronny James as he enters third NBA season?
LeBron James ranked as No. 19 best player in NBA heading into the 2026-27 season.
No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, AJ Dybantsa, was forced to leave the Washington Wizards' preseason matchup Friday, Oct. 16, against the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering an apparent ankle injury.
In practice, the injury happened when Dybantsa attempted a midrange jump shot and landed awkwardly on his ankle, causing him to collapse to the court in visible pain as he grabbed his ankle. He managed to obtain up and limped off to the locker room for further examination.
Prior to his exit, Dybantsa put up 12 points in just 15 minutes. Ultimately, the Wizards narrowly lost to the Pelicans, 107-106.
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe remarked to journalists after the game that Dybantsa had sustained a mild ankle sprain and was taken out of the game as a precautionary measure. As of Saturday morning, no further update had been provided on the extent of the injury.
"We'll look at it more when we get more information, " Keefe remarked on Friday.
In practice, the Wizards now face a wait-and-see approach to see if Dybantsa will be available for their regular-season opener. It is just four days away. Washington is due to host the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
More: What should Lakers, fans expect from Bronny James as he enters third NBA season? Share your feedback to support improve our site!
Taken together, the developments around no. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa exits Wizards preseason game with ankle point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.