Ahead of game three, AJ Dybantsa one of three to be shut down for rest of Summer League for Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards will take on the Chicago Bulls in game three of Summer League on Tuesday night, but they will do so without a trio of key players.
As expected, Wizards summer league head coach T.J. Sorrentine told Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that AJ Dybantsa, Will Riley and Tre Johnson will be sidelined for the final three games in Las Vegas. This comes in line with previous expectations for rookies and young players with two games traditionally the most fans see before getting a look at the rest of the roster.
The decision also comes as the trio dazzled through the first two games.
Dybantsa, the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, averaged 25 points in 25 minutes while shooting just shy of 50% from the field. That also includes Dybantsa shooting just 1-of-11 from three across two games, the lone make coming on the Wizards' first bucket vs. Sacramento, with the BYU product known for his mid-range and ability to attack the rim ahead of his rookie season. His debut against the Utah Jazz also marked a chance for the top two overall picks to go head-to-head with Dybantsa and the Wizards coming out ahead.
Dybantsa made defense his focus in game two while his efforts on the glass were clear in both games after recording seven rebounds and two assists in each of his two appearances. Dybantsa also got a chance to be showcased as a point-forward in the second half against Sacramento, a chance for him to get settled into a role he could be used in during the regular season with the Wizards.
Second year forward Will Riley would be the spark in game two after notching a game-high 32 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, including 6-of-8 from three, to reinforce the belief that he sparked through the second half of his rookie season. Riley added six rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes against Sacramento on Sunday, three days after recording 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the first Summer League game.
Tre Johnson was inactive against Sacramento on Sunday, though he was available in game one after totaling 26 points in 28 minutes while shooting 11-of-20 from the field and 2-of-8 from three.
Tuesday night will offer a chance for the frontcourt to step up to the task with second-round selection Felix Okpara and Julian Reese among the big men who will have a chance to prove themselves against Bulls forward Caleb Wilson, who went fourth overall in last month's draft and also worked out for Washington.
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