​Thursday night will mark the opening chapter of what could become one of the NBA’s newest rivalries, as the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards meet in a highly anticipated Summer League showdown. Former Kansas star Darryn Peterson faces No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa in a matchup that has already generated substantial buzz around the league. The game will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, airing on ESPN with streaming available through Watch ESPN for subscribers.
The intrigue stems from the draft night proximity: Peterson went No. 2 in the 2026 NBA Draft, just behind Dybantsa, who went No. 1. Peterson had hoped to be selected first and had only met with Washington before the draft, but the Wizards ultimately chose the former BYU standout. In the wake of the pick, Peterson acknowledged that the decision has provided extra motivation. “I see a guy that went No. 1 on the screen there right now, so I’m extra motivated. It’ll always be in my mind for my whole career,” he said after the selection.
Peterson has done nothing to dampen the excitement surrounding his NBA future. He opened Summer League by dropping 28 points against Atlanta and followed up with a 25-point, 12-assist double-double against Memphis. Utah then rested him for its final Salt Lake City Summer League game to save him for Thursday’s nationally televised clash with Washington. Dybantsa has also made a strong early impression after becoming the league’s top pick, setting the stage for a historic first meeting between two players who were closely linked throughout the draft process.
For Kansas fans, the history between the two is well known. Peterson and Dybantsa squared off during the college season when Kansas hosted BYU at Allen Fieldhouse, and now they’ll renew that rivalry on an NBA stage. With two of the league’s brightest young talents on opposite sides, Thursday’s game is shaping up to be one of the marquee events of Summer League.
Matchup details: Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards
Date: Thursday, July 9
Time: 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET)
Location: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Watch ESPN with a valid subscription
As the first major chapter in what could become a lasting rivalry unfolds, both teams will be counting on their top young stars to deliver a memorable performance. Peterson’s scoring ability and playmaking, paired with Dybantsa’s elite skill set and expectations as the top pick, promise a showcase that could define the tone of their early professional careers and ignite a narrative that NBA fans will follow throughout the summer and beyond.