The AJ Dybantsa era in the NBA has officially kicked off.

The number one overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from Brockton just made his NBA regular-season debut with the Washington Wizards after missing the first four games of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Despite a 121-111 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dybantsa shined in his first NBA regular-season game. The 6-foot-9 forward out of BYU started the game for Washington and finished with a team-high 19 points in 27 minutes played. He went 8-for-12 from the field (66.7 percent) and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line while going 1-for-3 on 3-point attempts.

Dybantsa also recorded his first assists (2) and rebounds (2). The first points of his career came just 16 seconds into the game when he sunk two free throws for the game's first points. He finished the first quarter with nine points.

Why did AJ Dybantsa miss the season opener?

Dybantsa missed the season opener, and the ensuing three games, due to an ankle injury he suffered in the NBA preseason finale before being cleared to play in Washington's fifth game of the season at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

When will AJ Dybantsa play next?

Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards are set to play at home on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in NBA Cup group play action vs. the Charlotte Hornets. It will be Dybantsa's home debut.

Will AJ Dybantsa play against the Boston Celtics this season?

Yes, the Washington Wizards are scheduled to play the Celtics four times in the regular season. The first matchup comes in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m. on NBC in NBA Cup group play. Then, Dybantsa travels home for back-to-back games vs. Boston at the TD Garden on Monday, Dec. 14, and Wednesday, Dec. 16 (ESPN).

Washington and Boston then wrap up their regular-season series on Monday, Jan. 18, in Washington, D.C.