Anthony Davis Records Several Feats in Washington Wizards Loss

The return of Anthony Davis wasn't enough to end the losing streak as the Washington Wizards dropped its fourth straight game to drop three games under .500, but Monday night was another episode as to why the ten-time All Star is so valuable for a team still searching for its identity early in the season.

Davis became the fifth player in franchise history over the last 20 years to record a 30 point performance in a half, setting the stage for the veteran to spark the Wizards' offense al night.

Davis finished with 44 points and 13 points, both marking game-highs, while shooting over 76% from the field, 50% from three and making all but one of his 11 free throw attempts. It marked Davis' highest scoring game since dropping 55 points against the Wizards back on Dec. 4, 2022, in addition to securing the franchise's first 40-point double-double since Deni Avdija did so back in February 2024. What made it maybe most impressive is Davis becoming the first Wizard since Antawn Jamison in 2007 to record a 40-10 game while shooting at least 75% from the field, highlighting just how long it's been since the Wizards had a game-changer in the frontcourt. Davis' 44 points also tied Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry for the eighth-highest scoring game across the NBA to begin the 2026-27 regular season.

That even included four offensive rebounds that he turned into ten points, including two and-one opportunities inside the final four minutes of the second quarter, while finishing with a game-high five offensive rebounds.

Though the result leaves more questions for head coach Brian Keefe to answer amid the Wizards' slow start, the Wizards narrowly won the battle on the glass for the first time since the road win over the Orlando Magic -- the last time that Davis played a full game.

Davis wasn't the only one who dazzled as AJ Dyabntsa was one of six players to eclipse 20 points in the game, doing so with 21 points while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 66.7% from the line. Dybantsa was also able to showcase his full arsenal in the loss, attacking both John Collins and Duncan Robinson off the dribble for impressive buckets at the rim. That also included Dybantsa rising for a dunk over Collins midway through the third quarter to draw an and-one opportunity, followed by a monster putback slam minutes later, highlighting the rookie's instant impact.

Beyond the highlight plays, Dybantsa was also able to prove why he's comfortable getting to his spots in the midrange, but it also featured the latest episode of the rookie's commitment to proving himself defensively after recording his first blocks in the NBA, first against Daniss Jenkins then against Paul Reed.

Yet as Dybantsa noted on X/Twitter postgame, the signs of optimism carry a partly empty message given Washington's struggles to stay competitive against the NBA's best amid a four game losing streak. Add in the expectation that Davis and the Wizards are expected to re-evaluate their future after roughly the first 20 games, head coach Brian Keefe will look to find ways for the success of Davis and Dybantsa to translate into wins for the Wizards.

Whether Washington can do so against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night will be the question.