usatoday
Washington Wizards' preseason matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Oct. 16, took an unsettling turn when AJ Dybantsa, the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, had to leave the game due to an ankle injury.
The incident occurred as Dybantsa attempted a midrange jump shot and landed awkwardly on his ankle, causing him to collapse to the court in visible pain while clutching the affected area. He eventually rose and limped to the locker room for further evaluation.
Before his departure, Dybantsa had been effective, scoring 12 points in just 15 minutes of action. The Wizards ultimately fell to the Pelicans by a narrow 107-106 margin.
Following the game, Wizards head coach Brian Keefe informed reporters that Dybantsa had sustained a mild ankle sprain and was removed as a precautionary measure. As of Saturday morning, no additional details regarding the severity of the injury had been released.
"We'll look at it more when we get more information," Keefe said on Friday.
Washington now faces an anxious wait to determine whether Dybantsa will be available for the regular-season opener, which is only four days away. The Wizards are scheduled to host the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
Key Analysis
The injury casts a shadow over the Wizards' preseason finale and raises questions about the immediate availability of their prized prospect. Dybantsa's health will be closely monitored as the team prepares for the regular season, and his potential absence could impact Washington's early-season rotation. The organization remains optimistic that the sprain is minor, but further updates are awaited.
Originally reported by usatoday.