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Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa is undergoing evaluation for a left ankle sprain after exiting the team’s preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Oct. 16. The No. 1 overall pick sustained the injury during the second quarter of the 107-106 loss and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The injury occurred when Dybantsa rose for a mid-range pull-up jumper and landed awkwardly on his left foot. While the rookie was able to leave the court under his own power, the Wizards opted for caution as the regular season approaches.
The Wizards will monitor Dybantsa's progress before their Oct. 21 season opener.
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe provided an update following the game, describing the decision to keep Dybantsa on the bench as “precautionary.” Keefe noted that the initial diagnosis is a minor sprain, though the team will monitor his progress over the coming days to determine his availability for the start of the regular season.
Before the injury, Dybantsa showed the offensive form that made him the top selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. In just 15 minutes of play, he recorded 12 points, two rebounds, and one block while shooting 4-of-8 from the field. This performance continued a productive preseason for the forward.
Dybantsa entered the professional ranks following a standout year at BYU, where he led the NCAA in scoring with 25.5 points per game during the 2025-26 season. His scoring ability is expected to be a focal point of the Washington roster.
The Wizards are scheduled to open the 2026-27 regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 21, against the Milwaukee Bucks. Dybantsa’s status for the home opener remains a question mark as the medical staff assesses the severity of the sprain during the five-day gap between the preseason finale and the regular-season tip-off.
The post AJ Dybantsa Injury Update: Wizards Rookie Evaluated for Minor Sprain Ahead of Opener appeared first on World Weekly News.
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