AJ Dybantsa ☆ Follow

• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective host · Report · 4 h ago around the league

  AJ Dybantsa hasn't played yet because of an ankle injury. A host thinks he has already been declared out for Monday, if Washington plays.

  “Chaotic NBA Opening Week Reaction: Key Injuries & New Contenders? + Major Beef” at 1:02:01 · listen ↗

  also reported by Josh Robbins (@joshrobbins.bsky.social), Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA), Gil's Arena host, Locked On Wizards host

• X Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) · Report · 4 h ago

  Injuries 10/26 MIN: Yet to submit CLE: Nae'Qwan Tomlin - Out WAS: AJ Dybantsa - Out Tristan Vukcevic - Out CHA: Coby White - Out Kon Knueppel - Out Grant Williams - Out CHI: Noa Essengue - Questionable Patrick Williams - Questionable Nic Claxton - Out BOS: None DAL: Cooper

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wizards · 6 points · 16 h ago
  • Chase Hughes (reported): Per a Chase Hughes (Monumental Sports) tweet, the Wizards lead the NBA with 25 dunks through three games. The host adds that AJ Dybantsa has not yet played. at 8:36
  • Greg says that until AJ Dybantsa returns from injury, his spot in that lineup is held by Bilal Coulibaly. He adds that Bilal has been pretty good but is not a go-get-a-bucket player at AJ's level. at 16:44
  • Greg predicts that AJ's return will ease the scoring burden on Young and George. For example, Young may not need to take 10 threes, and George can be more of a connector. at 16:36
  • The Wizards scored 128 against Milwaukee and 124 against Chicago without AJ. at 17:28
  • Greg assumes that when AJ returns, the team goes to a 10-man rotation and Middleton and Riley probably move out of it to the bench. at 22:09
  • Both hosts say Washington should beat Charlotte even without AJ. The Hornets swept Washington last year. A win would give the Wizards their first 3-1 start since 2022. at 27:14

  “GAMECHANGER: Trae Young IGNITES Washington Wizards Offense | How Can They Keep Climbing?” · listen ↗

• ESPN ESPN · Report · 21 h ago

  Out, left ankle sprain, return est. Oct 28

  source ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · Oct 24 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 · Oct 24 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 Wizards · 3 points · 38 h ago
  • 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

  “Washington Wizards EXPLODE in Third Quarter to SURVIVE Chicago Bulls | Justin Champagnie is UNREAL” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA · Analysis · Oct 24 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 Locked On Wizards host · Report · Oct 23

  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 Gil's Arena host · Analysis · Oct 23 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 Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective host · Report · Oct 23 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 · Oct 22 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 ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · Oct 22 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 · Oct 22
  • 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 · Oct 21

  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 · Oct 21 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 · Oct 21

  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:

  original post ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 2 points · Oct 21
  • 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 · Oct 20
  • 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 · Oct 20

  Wizards' AJ Dybantsa (ankle) to miss season opener

  source ↗

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Analysis · Oct 20 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 · Oct 20
  • 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 · Oct 20 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 · Oct 20 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 · Oct 19
  • 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 ↗

• Podcast NBA Today · 3 points · Oct 19
  • 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 ↗

• Bluesky Josh Robbins (@joshrobbins.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 18

  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.

  original post ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wizards · 7 points · Oct 16
  • 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

  “AJ Dybantsa Leaves Game After Rolling Ankle as PRECAUTION | Wizards' Offensive Process NEEDS WORK” · listen ↗

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