Before the game: the story
Opinion No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa ruled out, NBA debut delayed again
AJ Dybantsa is out for Saturday's game against the Bulls with an ankle injury, so the top overall pick still hasn't made his NBA debut. The Athletic NBA Daily calls it a day-to-day ankle sprain, and a Locked On Wizards host hopes he debuts Monday at Charlotte.
Sources: AJ Dybantsa status (ESPN) · The Athletic NBA Daily “Sixers Thrive + Jamal Murray down bad? | Slam N Ja” at 4:47 · Locked On Wizards “The Toronto Raptors Exposed the Wizards' BIGGEST F” at 21:46
Also in the picture (3)
- Opinion Will Anthony Davis play the second night of a back-to-back?
A Locked On Wizards host wonders whether Davis will play the back-to-back, though no injury has been reported and the host notes Davis wants to play all 82 games. RotoWire says Davis had a quiet Friday loss to Toronto: nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.
Sources: Locked On Wizards “The Toronto Raptors Exposed the Wizards' BIGGEST F” at 11:38 · RotoWire note: Anthony Davis
- Opinion Bulls short at center with Nic Claxton sidelined
Newcomer Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. Locked On Bulls says Zach Collins is fully cleared for contact and predicts he'll come off the bench at first.
Sources: Nic Claxton status (ESPN) · Roster: Nic Claxton · Locked On Bulls “Zach Collins CLEARED! Nic Claxton OUT Longer… Who” at 2:11, 6:46, 18:41
- Reported Tiago Splitter hands the keys to Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis
Locked On Bulls relays that new coach Tiago Splitter wants Wilson and Buzelis to drive the offense. Pat the Designer noted that Splitter kept both on the floor late in a blowout, which Billy Donovan likely wouldn't have done. ESPN reported that the rookie Wilson scored 21 against Milwaukee.
Sources: Locked On Bulls “Bulls LOCK IN Matas & Noa! Norman Powell STAR Trad” at 4:01 · Locked On Bulls “Chicago Bulls vs Raptors Postgame: What We Learned” at 4:15 · Locked On Bulls “BULLS POSTCAST: Caleb Wilson shows a few flashes b” at 14:16 · ESPN: “Powell scores 25 points to help the Bulls hold off the Bucks, 132-125”
Written by our system from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words; written Oct 24, 3:15 PM ET, before tip. Rumors and opinions are labelled.