​With the top overall pick leading the way, AJ Dybantsa, the Washington Wizards opened Summer League with a 92-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, who had second overall pick Darryn Peterson on the floor Thursday night. Even though Washington wasn’t in action at times, the arena drew a notable contingent from around the league, including Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, and Deandre Ayton among the attendees. Bub Carrington joined as one of several NBA guest photographers during Summer League. Here are three takeaways from the night.
Dybantsa’s debut showed early nerves giving way to the flashes of the top prospect buzz. The rookie opened with a layup to start the scoring for Washington, then quickly followed with a transition dunk set up by a pass to Will Riley, generating a three-point play. He displayed his scoring touch inside the arc with reverse layups, finishing through contact on the wing, and even delivering a poster slam after taking on multiple Jazz defenders. Dybantsa spent most of the game handling the ball, and by the end of the first quarter he already had double figures. He finished with a game-high 27 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists in 27 minutes. His footwork and shot creation were evident, underscoring why he entered the draft as the consensus top prospect. He did struggle from outside the paint, going 2-for-13, including 0-for-5 from three, and at times he seemed to force shots, attempting contested mid-range jumpers even when double-teamed. Still, his complete scoring package was on display, and while it was only one Summer League game, it reinforced the reasons Dybantsa was chosen first overall over Peterson, who totaled a team-high 24 points on 6-for-18 shooting.
Sophomore standout Tre Johnson also appeared determined to turn the page from a rough rookie season, opening Summer League as one of the two Wizards to top the 25-point mark. Johnson reached double figures first and went on to finish with 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting. He attacked the paint with purpose, starting strong in the first quarter with a finish with his off hand and later sealing the possession with a difficult floater near the end of the game to keep Washington slightly ahead. His willingness to attack provided a steady contrast to Dybantsa’s high-usage approach and signaled the potential for a more dynamic backcourt combination as both players gained comfort with extended minutes.
Jamir Watkins drew the assignment against Peterson, showing defensive grit even in the face of a difficult foul situation. Watkins, who finished with nine fouls (one shy of the Summer League limit) demonstrated why he earned a role for the Wizards early in his career, repeatedly contesting Peterson on the perimeter and applying sturdy pressure as part of Washington’s defensive game plan. Offensively, Watkins was more subdued, scoring two points on 1-for-2 shooting while adding three rebounds and one steal. His defense helped limit Peterson’s opportunities and underscored why the second-round pick earned a place in the rotation after arrival from the draft.
In all, the Wizards’ Summer League opener offered a promising glimpse of their emerging core. Dybantsa’s all-around scoring ability and playmaking, complemented by Johnson’s aggressive, efficient scoring and Watkins’ defensive presence, provided a foundation to build on as the tournament continues. With Dybantsa exhibiting the tools that justified his top-pick status, and Johnson answering questions about his ability to shoulder a larger workload, Washington head into subsequent games with optimism about their young core’s potential.