AJ Dybantsa
Washington Wizards · Forward · 6′9″ 217 lb · age 19 · BYU · 1st season
Season averages appear after his first game.
Availability
Tonight @ CHAOut RotoWire ·
Reported Oct 25: AJ Dybantsa: Ruled out for Monday — Dybantsa (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hornets.
Official injury report: Out
Lineups not confirmed yet
Teammates out
Recent changes
- Oct 21Lineupmoved out of the starting lineup vs MIL
- Oct 20AvailabilityOut
- Oct 18AvailabilityDay-to-day
What's being said
60 items · 12 sources this season- RotoWire RotoWire · Report ·
AJ Dybantsa: Ruled out for Monday — Dybantsa (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hornets.
also reported by Josh Robbins (@joshrobbins.bsky.social), Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA), Gil's Arena host, Locked On Wizards host
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 4 points ·
- Hosts expect Khris Middleton to be the odd man out of a 10-man rotation once AJ Dybantsa returns. Riley scored two points. at 23:38
- Ben Strober: AJ Dybantsa is still out and did not travel. Jamir Watkins and Tristan Vukcevic did not travel either. The host says they are apparently joining the team in Charlotte on Monday. at 12:03
- Brian Keefe (reported): Host relays that Keefe said AJ Dybantsa is progressing and still day-to-day, the same thing he has said since last week. Host says it has been eight days since the Pelicans game. at 26:44
- Hosts disagree on when AJ Dybantsa returns. Abdullah does not see it happening Monday. Ben thinks there is a chance, though he admits he has no information, and suggests the NBA Cup start Friday as another possible return point. at 26:36
“Washington Wizards EXPLODE in Third Quarter to SURVIVE Chicago Bulls | Justin Champagnie is UNREAL” · listen ↗
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · around the league
No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa missed the Wizards opener with an ankle sprain. He is day-to-day and has not yet made his NBA debut.
“Sixers Thrive + Jamal Murray down bad? | Slam N Jam” at 4:47 · listen ↗
also reported by Gil's Arena host
- Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Report · around the league
Washington won its opener. In that game AJ Dybantsa was unavailable and Will Riley was a healthy scratch; Khris Middleton played. No reason for Dybantsa's absence was given.
“The 2026-27 NBA Overreactions Draft!” at 24:07 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA · Analysis · around the league
Ryan said Washington still needs to get back AJ Dybantsa. That implies he is currently out, but no reason was given.
“BEST NBA NIGHT EVER! YOU HAD TO BE THERE!” at 21:04 · listen ↗
- Podcast Gil's Arena host · Analysis · around the league
A host argues that playing alongside Davis and Trae Young will hurt Dybantsa's rookie numbers but help him learn to prepare and win now.
“Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part2” at 1:17:33 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards host · Report ·
AJ Dybantsa did not play against Toronto. No reason is given in the cited text.
“The Toronto Raptors Exposed the Wizards' BIGGEST FLAW | Washington Wizards Podcast” at 1:39 · listen ↗
- Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective host · Report · around the league
AJ Dybantsa could not make his debut, which was delayed by an ankle problem.
“Luka Gets Called Out As Lakers Dominate + Who Made A Game 1 Statement?” at 43:14 · listen ↗
- Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Prediction · around the league
Rookie of the Year: several hosts pick Cam Boozer first and Caleb Wilson second. Mike names AJ Dybantsa second and Darryn Peterson third.
“LIVE From Chicago! | Numbers On The Board” at 24:59 · listen ↗
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Dybantsa (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.
- Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · around the league
Anthony Davis had 34 points and 12 rebounds (22 in the second half) as the Wizards beat the Bucks while AJ Dybantsa was absent. No reason for the absence is given. Davis played 20 games last season.
“Wolves Make a Big Statement in Miami + Luka’s Showtime Era Begins” at 20:22 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points ·
- Bilal Coulibaly was in the lineup in place of AJ Dybantsa and had six stocks. No reason for Dybantsa's absence was stated. at 33:10
- Ryan (inferred) says AJ Dybantsa has not played yet and will debut soon. Gavin (inferred) predicts Dybantsa's rim pressure, about 10 free throws a game, will accelerate the Wizards further. at 33:52
“GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards host · Analysis ·
A host felt the Wizards missed AJ Dybantsa on offense in the first half. Some lineups struggled to create opportunities for themselves.
“Anthony Davis TOOK OVER as Washington Wizards DOMINATE 4th Quarter in Season Opening Win over Bucks” at 23:40 · listen ↗
- Podcast Gil's Arena · Analysis · around the league
Boogie expects AJ Dybantsa to get fewer shots and less freedom to play through mistakes because he plays next to two All-Stars, Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
“KD Claps Back At Mat Ishbia, PG Finds His LOVE Again In Boston & SGA's MVP THREE-PEAT Chase! Part 2” at 1:06:09 · listen ↗
- X Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) · Report ·
Injuries 10/21 ATL: Henri Veesaar - Out Mouhamed Gueye - Out ORL: Anthony Black - Out Jonathan Isaac - Out Noah Penda - Out MIL: Nate Ament - Probable WAS: AJ Dybantsa - Out Tristan Vukcevic - Out CHA: Grant Williams - Out Coby White - Out Kon Knueppel - Out BKN: None CHI:
- Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 2 points ·
- A host assumes AJ Dybantsa will start once healthy, though he is not at the top of the Wizards' pecking order with Trae Young and Anthony Davis there. at 32:27
- AJ Dybantsa in preseason: still got to the line and moved a lot off the ball, but his shot was not falling. A host says his defensive activity looked higher than in college. at 32:39
“2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 9 points ·
- Joe House says he saw AJ Dybantsa turn his ankle and, from how it looked, judged he had no chance of playing next week. at 4:47
- House describes the transition attack: Trae Young as the tip of the spear, with Kyshawn George and AJ Dybantsa as finishers and Anthony Davis trailing the play. at 6:18
- House's biggest preseason takeaway on AJ Dybantsa is that he can bring pro-level intensity on defense. House says he filled the steal and block columns in preseason games. at 8:52
- A host says a GM survey rated AJ Dybantsa very highly long-term, tied with Caleb Wilson as the best rookie five years from now, but lower to win Rookie of the Year. Sportsbooks are also lower on him for the award. at 13:38
- A host gives the reason for AJ Dybantsa's lower Rookie of the Year odds: he plays behind Trae Young and Anthony Davis. at 13:54
- House ranks AJ Dybantsa about fourth among the top rookies for Rookie of the Year, because Washington is built around the team concept. at 15:39
- House calls AJ Dybantsa's jumper a work in progress, often hitting the front of the rim, which he thinks is fixable. He says the stroke looks normal and natural enough. at 18:33
- House hopes the team encourages AJ Dybantsa to attack the basket and draw fouls as his rookie bread and butter. at 18:50
- A host recalls a preseason play where AJ Dybantsa did a step-through off the free throw line to Alex Sarr. The host calls his playmaking very underrated. at 25:33
“AJ Dybansta OUT for Season Opener | Joe House Previews Washington Wizards Year of Ascension” · listen ↗
- Story ESPN · Article ·
Wizards' AJ Dybantsa (ankle) to miss season opener
- Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Analysis · around the league
A host says the No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa joins a Wizards team with Anthony Davis and Trae Young, so he may not always have the ball.
“The NBA Is Back! + We Draft Potential First Time All-Stars | Numbers On The Board” at 1:01:25 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 4 points ·
- AJ Dybantsa did some light shooting in practice the day before the episode. The hosts planned to try for an update on the day of publication. at 31:04
- Host opinion: it would be nice to see AJ Dybantsa play in the opener, but it is not worth rushing him. at 32:52
- Host thought Tre Johnson was really good in the preseason. He is listed among the transition players with George and Dybantsa. at 29:24
- NBA scouts (reported): An Athletic story (the day before the episode) reported NBA scouts are very high on Kyshawn George. Scouts view him as Washington's second-best young player behind Dybantsa. at 31:58
“WIZARDS VS BUCKS PREVIEW: Can Washington Win the Opener? | Locked On Bucks Crossover” · listen ↗
- Podcast Gil's Arena host · Analysis · name not confirmed around the league partly checked episode
When the chat asked the Wizards contingent why AJ Dybantsa went undrafted in their fantasy draft, a host said he won't get as much opportunity with Tre Johnson and Anthony Davis on the floor.
“GIL'S ARENA NBA FANTASY DRAFT WITH $100K ON THE LINE ! Part 2” at 41:31 · listen ↗
- Podcast NBA Today host · Prediction · around the league
Award predictions: Perkins picked AJ Dybantsa for Rookie of the Year and Anthony Edwards for MVP. Two panelists picked Caleb Wilson for Rookie of the Year.
“Let the Games Begin!” at 47:03 · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 5 points ·
- A host saw the likely Dybantsa on the court in person, shooting free throws with a group that included Anthony Davis. at 5:31
- Brian Keefe (reported): Keefe specified the work was only some shooting steps. The host does not think there was any live game action, unless Keefe is withholding information. at 5:49
- Abdullah Ayubi: The likely Dybantsa got hurt against the Pelicans. Abdullah called his day-to-day status positive and mentioned ankle injuries as scary. at 6:22
- Host opinion: the team won't rush the No. 1 pick back if he isn't 100% ready, and they hope to beat Milwaukee even without him. at 6:10
- Anonymous NBA scouts (reported): In Josh Robbins' piece in The Athletic, anonymous scouts rated George the highest of the Wizards' young players. Scout D said he will at minimum develop into a starter on a good team. Another quote put him at the top of the list after the heard-as Dybantsa. at 14:52
“Washington Wizards Have an Opportunity to Start FAST, are They Ready? Scouts HIGH on Kyshawn George” · listen ↗
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Dybantsa (ankle) participated in shooting drills during Monday's practice but remains day-to-day, Ben Strober of 106-7 The Fan Washington reports.
- Podcast NBA Today · 3 points ·
- Darryn Peterson (quoted): Darryn Peterson says his supposed rivalry with AJ Dybantsa is more of a social media thing, and that the two are close. at 18:54
- Washington's new big three of Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and Trae Young played three preseason games together. at 33:39
- Trae Young (quoted): Trae Young praises AJ Dybantsa as athletic, a scorer at all levels and cerebral, and calls him one of the future faces of the league. at 36:06
“Regular Season Eve” · listen ↗
- ESPN ESPN · Report ·
Head coach Brian Keefe said Sunday that Dybantsa is day-to-day with an ankle sprain, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
- Bluesky Josh Robbins (@joshrobbins.bsky.social) · Report ·
The status of AJ Dybantsa, who rolled an ankle during the Wizards' preseason finale, is considered "day-to-day," coach Brian Keefe just said. The Wizards had a very light practice this morning.
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 8 points ·
- The injury happened midway through the second quarter. at 1:46
- Drew Gooden (reported): A broadcaster, Drew Gooden, said Dybantsa looked like he told himself "I'm good" after the play. at 3:57
- Ben Strober: Asked whether Dybantsa landed on Zion's foot, the host answered that he didn't see it but thinks Dybantsa rolled the ankle on his own. at 4:09
- Abdullah Ayubi: A co-host said they are optimistic Dybantsa plays in game one against the Bucks. at 2:18
- Asked whether Dybantsa will play against Milwaukee, the host said it is too early to say. The only information is that the team called it precautionary, and the severity of the ankle is unknown. at 28:31
- Before the injury, Dybantsa was having his best offensive stretch of the preseason, in the host's view: drives to the basket, a jab step into a made three, and trips to the free-throw line. at 3:33
- Host's prediction: the team will be at its best when Kyshawn George and AJ Dybantsa are both going, and the host expects that to hold through the regular season. at 9:29
- Ben Strober: Starters' and main rotation players' minutes were stretched out. Nine players got the bulk of the minutes: Anthony Davis, Dybantsa, Sarr, Young, George, Tre Johnson, Khris Middleton, Deandre Ayton and Bilal Coulibaly. at 18:01
“AJ Dybantsa Leaves Game After Rolling Ankle as PRECAUTION | Wizards' Offensive Process NEEDS WORK” · listen ↗
- Podcast Locked On Wizards · 3 points ·
- Abdullah Ayubi: Abdullah wants AJ Dybantsa on the ball, making plays, when Trae Young is off the floor. Ben thinks both Kyshawn George and Dybantsa will get plenty of chances to handle and initiate the offense. at 27:20
- A host said AJ Dybantsa has not had any huge scoring games yet. What encourages the host is everything he has done overall and how quickly he is adjusting to NBA speed. at 28:05
- Abdullah Ayubi: Abdullah said the preseason has shown AJ Dybantsa getting downhill, his athleticism and his IQ. He said the jump shot will take time but he is not worried about it. at 6:44
“NBA GMs Are BUYING IN on the Washington Wizards and They Are Right to do so” · listen ↗
Podcast items are our short summaries of what was said, credited to who said it; posts and stories link to the original. Opinions and rumors are labelled as such and are not checked facts.
Predictions about him
how calls are trackedCame true 4 · Missed 1 · Waiting 1
- Waiting Locked On Wizards (show): Abdullah: AJ Dybantsa will not return for Monday's game at Charlotte.
2026-10-25 · Podcast · for @ CHA, 2026-10-26 Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: AJ Dybantsa: reported out source
2026-10-24 · X · for @ CHI, 2026-10-25 · result: did not play Flag - Came true Ben Strober: If he sits Friday, AJ Dybantsa probably also misses the Saturday game at Chicago.
2026-10-23 · Podcast · for @ CHI, 2026-10-25 · result: did not play Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: AJ Dybantsa: reported out source
2026-10-22 · X · for vs TOR, 2026-10-23 · result: did not play Flag - Came true Underdog NBA: AJ Dybantsa: reported out source
2026-10-20 · X · for vs MIL, 2026-10-21 · result: did not play Flag - Missed Abdullah Ayubi: Dybantsa will play in the season opener against the Bucks.
2026-10-17 · Podcast · for vs MIL, 2026-10-21 · result: did not play Flag