AJ Dybantsa Ruled Out for Washington Wizards 2026-27 Opener

The Washington Wizards will officially have to wait a bit longer before watching the top overall pick from the 2026 NBA Draft suit up.

Head coach Brian Keefe revealed during Tuesday’s media availability that AJ Dybantsa will miss Wednesday’s regular season and home opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. Dybantsa suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale loss against the New Orleans Pelicans before drawing attention from the medical staff. Keefe noted on Sunday that Dybantsa remained day-to-day with the team cautious about the prized starter.

Yet it marks a blow to the Wizards, who were set to welcome heightened fan interest ahead of opening night. The team previously announced that the first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Wizards branded rally towel courtesy of Capital One, while Waka Flocka Flame has been announced as the halftime performer.

Dybantsa is coming off a preseason where he appeared in all four games and ranked third on the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game, while also shooting shy of 44% from the floor. Dybantsa's outside shooting struggles translated in preseason after finishing 2-of-11 from three across his four games, along with just shy of 62% from the free throw line, though that also includes six steals and 15 total rebounds in his first unofficial games in a Wizards uniform.

Dybantsa set the program's single game scoring record during his lone season at BYU, while the Big 12 Freshman of the Year also became the first freshman to record at least 30 points in his NCAA Tournament debut since Steph Curry did so in 2007.

The Wizards are expected to enter the regular season largely healthy. Tristian Vukcevic remains sidelined after previously being diagnosed with a left hip impingement. Jamir Watkins remains sidelined long-term after suffering a torn ACL during Summer League. Alex Sarr and Khris Middleton, who both entered training camp limited, have since been cleared with Sarr making his preseason debut in the first game at home and Middleton returning to the lineup in the finale.

The Wizards will host the Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for a 7 PM tipoff the 2026-27 regular season and officially kickoff a new chapter of Wizards basketball. Washington will then host the Toronto Raptors on Friday with tipoff set for 7 PM, though whether Dybantsa will be cleared to make his Wizards debut will be the question mark in the days ahead.