The Washington Wizards were handed an unwelcome injury scare on Friday night as No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa limped out of their preseason finale against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 19-year-old rookie appeared to turn his left ankle after landing awkwardly following a pull-up jumper late in the second quarter at Smoothie King Center.
Dybantsa was seen clutching his lower leg before limping back towards the Wizards’ locker room alongside the team’s medical staff just prior to the halftime break.
Footage circulating across social media showed the prized rookie walking off under his own power, appearing to mouth ‘I’m good’ as he departed down the tunnel.
However, the team opted against taking any risks with the face of their franchise and officially ruled him out for the second half with a left ankle sprain.
Wizards television broadcaster Chris Miller noted during the game’s second-half coverage that the decision to keep Dybantsa sidelined was purely ‘precautionary.’
The Washington Wizards were handed an unwelcome injury scare on Friday night as No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa limped out of their preseason finale
Dybantsa was seen clutching his lower leg before limping back towards the Wizards’ locker room alongside the team’s medical staff just prior to the halftime break
Rookie guard Tre Johnson was tapped by head coach Brian Keefe to take Dybantsa’s spot in the starting lineup to open the third quarter.
Prior to the setback, Dybantsa had enjoyed another dominant showing, racking up 12 points, three rebounds and a block in just 15 minutes of first-half action.
The Brockton native knocked down four of his eight shots from the floor, including a three-pointer, as he continued his explosive preseason campaign.
The scare comes at a deeply anxious moment for the Wizards organization, with the start of the 2026-27 NBA regular season just five days away.
Washington has placed the future of its franchise firmly in Dybantsa’s hands after drafting the dynamic forward with the top pick in June’s draft.
The setback will test Washington’s wing depth, which is already managing minutes following a busy preseason schedule alongside offseason addition Anthony Davis.
Wizards supporters quickly took to social media to express their panic, with many pleading for the organization to wrap their superstar rookie in bubble wrap.
The Wizards are scheduled to open their regular season slate on Wednesday night on the road against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
