Dybantsa will not play for the Wizards today vs Bucks as he was officially sidelined after sustaining an injury during Washington’s preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons, head coach Brian Keefe confirmed to reporters during his pregame press conference.

The rookie represents a core piece of Washington’s long-term vision alongside stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young. While D.C. fans eagerly anticipate seeing the trio anchor a revamped Wizards squad, the team will have to navigate opening night without their prized young talent.

Unlike veteran-heavy teams adjusting to late-career stars—such as the Philadelphia 76ers managing LeBron James’ uncertain future—the Wizards are betting on a hybrid approach, pairing elite, established stars with high-upside youth to re-establish themselves in the Eastern Conference.

Predicted lineups for Wizards and Bucks today

Davis and Young are slated to headline Washington’s starting unit against a retooled Bucks squad. Milwaukee enters a new chapter led by guard Tyler Herro following the offseason departure of franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo, who signed with the Miami Heat.

Here are the projected starting lineups for tonight’s Wizards-Bucks matchup:

• Milwaukee Bucks:
  • PG: Ryan Rollins
  • SG: Tyler Herro
  • SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
  • PF: Kyle Kuzma
  • C: Myles Turner
• Washington Wizards:
  • PG: Trae Young
  • SG: Bilal Coulibaly
  • SF: Kyshawn George
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Alex Sarr

Both organizations kick off the regular season with playoff ambitions. For Washington, tonight marks an opportunity to pivot toward competitive basketball after consecutive rebuilding years. For Milwaukee, it serves as the official opening chapter of the post-Giannis era, a franchise reset following a historic decade that yielded an NBA Championship and an NBA Cup title.

Key takeaways

• AJ Dybantsa will miss Washington’s season opener against Milwaukee due to an injury.
• Anthony Davis and Trae Young are expected to lead Washington’s predicted starting lineup.
• Bucks are expected to be led by Tyler Herro.

“AJ Dybantsa suffered an ankle sprain and will be reevaluated when the Wizards learn more, Brian Keefe told @chasedcsports postgame in New Orleans,” the reporter Greg Finberg revealed on X.

With further tests pending to determine the severity of the injury and only a few days remaining before the 2026–27 NBA season tips off, Dybantsa’s availability remains uncertain. Will the young star be ready for his first game against the Milwaukee Bucks?

AJ Dybantsa’s preseason stats

AJ Dybantsa has already been giving Washington fans plenty to get excited about during his first NBA preseason action. The No. 1 overall pick showcased his scoring punch and all-around game early on—dropping 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in a win over Toronto, and putting up another smooth 14-point, 4-rebound, 3-assist stat line against Brooklyn.

While he did suffer a left ankle tweak in the second quarter of the preseason finale (finishing with 12 points in just 15 minutes before limping off), the rookie phenom proved throughout the exhibition slate that his elite athleticism and shot-creation are going to translate seamlessly to the league.

Washington aims to make a splash

With AJ Dybantsa leading a refreshed core, there’s a real sense of optimism in D.C. as the Wizards aim to turn heads and establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.

Washington kicks off its 2026–27 regular season with a test right out of the gate, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on Wednesday, October 21. They stay at home to take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday, October 23, before embarking on their first road game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Saturday, October 24.

Key takeaways

• AJ Dybantsa suffered an ankle sprain during the Washington Wizards’ preseason game against New Orleans.
• The No. 1 overall pick scored 12 points in 15 minutes before leaving with an injury.
• The Washington Wizards open their 2026–27 regular season against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 21.

After being waived by the Sacramento Kings, he is currently an unrestricted free agent, and the Wizards are regarded as an ideal fit. “A strong case could be made that the Washington Wizards may be the best spot for DeRozan since he could be a leader on and off the court for a team that expects to make a sizable jump during the 2026-27 season,” wrote Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“Trae Young and Anthony Davis are two NBA All-Stars; AJ Dybantsa is the No. 1 pick, and this team has plenty of youthful options on the rise. If they were to add DeRozan, the Wizards would all of a sudden have a deep roster with plenty of scoring options, and they would perhaps be the most underrated threat in the Eastern Conference. Washington still has its full mid-level exception ($15 million) to offer DeRozan, which is more than any other team actively pursuing him,” Siegel added.

An ideal complement to the roster

The Wizards are expected to be one of the league’s most improved teams this upcoming season. Along with Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr, the roster now features AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis, and Trae Young, while also boasting Khris Middleton off the bench. While experts still disagree on the team’s overall ceiling, adding DeRozan would undoubtedly elevate its standing.

The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Having played in Toronto, Chicago, San Antonio, and Sacramento, he brings valuable veteran experience and proven versatility.

On a team like Washington, his experience and versatility would prove vital for accelerating young player development while offering a consistent and reliable option at forward.

Wizards face competition from contenders

While he represents a seamless fit for the Wizards, the organization is not the only team in pursuit right now. In fact, several win-now contenders are chasing DeRozan, including the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat, while the Toronto Raptors have also emerged as a suitor. To win the chase, the Wizards must convince DeRozan of their status as an ascending power in the East.

Fortunately, following its latest roster makeover, the franchise is finally positioned to win big, which explains why the Washington Wizards have emerged in the race for several high-profile veterans.

Prior to Westbrook opting to retire, Shams Charania reported that he had offers from the Kings and the Wizards. He was offered a chance to return to the Kings as well as an offer to join a revamped Wizards team led by Trae Young and Anthony Davis, according to Charania.

“Russell Westbrook made the decision to step away from basketball ‘on his own terms’ despite receiving offers from the Kings and Wizards this offseason,” Charania reported. The revelation leads to the conclusion that Westbrook simply reached his limit with what the NBA has to offer, for better or worse.

Westbrook’s final season and career legacy

Westbrook had a standout season for the Sacramento Kings to conclude his NBA career over 64 games. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. He started 58 games for the team, which ultimately finished with a 22-60 record and 14th in the Western Conference.

Westbrook began his career in the 2008 NBA draft when he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics with the fourth overall pick. He became a legendary player in the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder, spending 11 seasons with the franchise, many of which were spent alongside Kevin Durant.

The trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Westbrook made the 2012 NBA Finals but ultimately lost to LeBron James’ Miami Heat in five games, resulting in a legend retiring without a championship.

After James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets, the Thunder remained in contention, led by Durant and Westbrook. After Durant departed the team to join the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook stayed for an additional three seasons and was named MVP in the 2016-2017 NBA season after averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Washington has surfaced as a potential destination for DeRozan in free agency. “One new team over the last several days that has had some conversations with DeMar DeRozan, the Washington Wizards,” Charania reported. “You think about a team that’s really trying to compete around Anthony Davis, Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa.”

DeRozan reached a contract buyout with the Sacramento Kings earlier this month. The veteran spent the past two seasons with Sacramento, with last year marking his second consecutive season playing 77 games. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 49.7% from the field, 32% from three-point range, and 86.8% from the free-throw line.

DeRozan’s situation

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeRozan has remained a solid scoring guard throughout his career. He has been selected to six All-Star teams and holds career averages of 21.1 points on 47.1% shooting from the field. Whichever team he lands on, he will be entering his 18th year in the NBA.

In addition to the Wizards, the Heat, Cavaliers, and Nuggets have been reported as potential landing spots for DeRozan in free agency. The 36-year-old also brings seven seasons of playoff experience, making him one of the top remaining free agents on the market.

Six-time All-Star searching for first championship

The Toronto Raptors selected DeRozan with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He spent his first nine seasons in Toronto before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2018 deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors.

DeRozan played three seasons in San Antonio and another three with the Chicago Bulls before joining Sacramento through a sign-and-trade in 2024. He is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection.

Despite his long list of individual accomplishments, DeRozan has yet to win an NBA title or reach the NBA Finals. While joining the Wizards makes competing for a championship complicated, the team looks intriguing on paper, as pairing him with Trae Young and Anthony Davis could create compelling results.

“Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2025-26 season, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the NBA stated in an official release.

With tonight’s absence, Doncic will miss his 13th game of the season, having previously sat out 12 contests due to injury management. A notable detail of today’s suspension is that it will cost him roughly $264,000 in lost pay, as a player suspended for their 16th technical foul forfeits 1/174 of their annual salary.

Doncic explains his 16th technical foul

During the Lakers‘ 116-99 victory over the Nets, Doncic was involved in a heated exchange with Ziaire Williams after the Brooklyn forward celebrated an offensive foul called against the Lakers star.

Seconds after Williams’ celebration, Doncic pushed the Nets forward, triggering a confrontation between both players. After a video review, the official assessed double technical fouls, marking Doncic’s 16th of the season and triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

“[Williams] was yelling in my face, three times. I just wanted to get out of there. It’s a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn’t even talk,” Doncic told reporters following the win. “I just wanted to get out of there. They said I pushed [him], and that my push was exaggerated, which [it] was obviously not. I don’t know what else to tell you”.

The suspension comes at the right time for Doncic

There is no doubt that Doncic is the Lakers’ best player and the undisputed leader of the team. Throughout the season, the Slovenian star has delivered an MVP-caliber performance, averaging a league-leading 33.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 62 games.

However, the Lakers are set to face the Wizards (17-58), a team currently sitting just one win above the Indiana Pacers at the bottom of the standings. This provides a timely opportunity for Doncic to rest during the final stretch of the regular season as the team prepares for the playoffs, where the Lakers are on the verge of officially clinching their postseason spot.

The outburst will prove costly for the Slovenian star. Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, a player suspended for their 16th technical foul forfeits $1/174th of their annual base salary.

With Doncic earning $46 million this season, the one-game absence results in a roughly $264,000 hit to his paycheck.

While the loss of Doncic is a significant blow to the Lakers‘ backcourt, the suspension is limited to a single game; he is eligible to return to the active roster immediately following the contest in D.C.

Lakers depth tested

The suspension of Doncic comes at a difficult time for Los Angeles, as the training staff continues to manage a crowded injury tent.

Three other key contributors have already been ruled out for Monday against the Wizards: Marcus Smart (G): OUT – Right ankle contusion, Adou Thiero (F): OUT – Knee injury, Maxi Kleber (F/C): OUT – Back injury.

Projected starting five for the Lakers

With the roster depleted, head coach JJ Redick (or your 2026 coach) will likely lean on Austin Reaves to handle point guard duties. Here is how the Lakers are expected to line up against the Wizards:

• PG: Austin Reaves
• SG: Luke Lennard
• SF: Jake LaRavia
• PF: LeBron James
• C: Deandre Ayton

While Nowitzki acknowledged that this latest deal provides the franchise with future financial flexibility, he noted that Dallas likely could have commanded a higher return.

“I think the Mavs fans are happy with this; I think they didn’t want to be reminded of what happened a year ago in the Luka trade,” Nowitzki said on NBA on Prime. “To me, looking at this deal, there’s not a lot that came back in terms of picks or players, so this is all about financial flexibility for the future…”

In the eight-player swap, the Mavericks sent Davis alongside D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum to D.C. In return, Dallas received Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders.

While many fans are relieved to move on from the veteran big man, Nowitzki admitted he was disappointed the pairing of Davis and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg was cut short. “I’m a little disappointed, obviously. I think when AD actually played with Cooper, they played off each other really well. That was a solid combo, but we’ll never know,” the NBA Hall of Famer added.

Anthony Davis on the Wizards’ potential

The Wizards have struggled to find their footing in recent years, failing to qualify for the postseason since 2021. This season has been no different, as Washington currently sit with a disappointing 14-37 record, effectively ending their playoff aspirations.

However, Davis believes that with a few personnel adjustments, the Wizards could emerge as a force in the Eastern Conference next season. “Obviously, it’s tough right now with the team,” Davis said. “It shows with their record, but adding certain pieces—that can change. It’s year by year. They could be the No. 1 team in the East next year”.

If Davis can remain healthy—a challenge that limited him to just 29 games in Dallas—the Wizards could boast a formidable lineup. A healthy Davis paired with Trae Young and a young core featuring Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson suggests the Wizards could be poised for a significant leap in 2027.

“The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum, to the Washington Wizards. In return, the Mavericks will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks,” Charania announced on his X account.

With these notable additions to both rosters, the Mavericks and Wizards are now refining their lineups for the remainder of the season. As they face multiple challenges ahead, which include matchups against various competitors, they are unified by one clear objective on the horizon: securing a spot in the NBA playoffs.

Mavericks’ updated lineup

With four fresh additions to their roster for the remainder of the season, the Mavericks will feature the following updated lineup:

• Ryan Nembhard
• Klay Thompson
• Khris Middleton
• Cooper Flagg
• Dereck Lively II

Wizards’ updated lineup

With Davis joining the squad, the Wizards have made significant adjustments ahead of the remainder of the season. Their updated lineup for the forthcoming challenges includes:

• Trae Young
• Tre Johnson
• Kyshawn George
• Anthony Davis
• Alex Sarr

During his introductory press conference with the Wizards, the 27-year-old point guard said he was motivated to make an impact alongside his new teammates. Young acknowledged that his role had evolved, moving from being one of the younger stars in Atlanta to becoming a veteran presence for a developing roster.

“Just being able to have an impact on my teammates,” Young said. “I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta, so now being able to be a vet with these young guys here is something I really value.”

The Wizards currently feature a young core led by Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr. For the four-time All-Star, landing in Washington represented an opportunity to help guide a group still searching for consistency and long-term direction.

The situation of Trae Young

Unfortunately, Trae Young has been dealing with a quad injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the 2025–26 season. While he has yet to make his on-court debut with the Wizards, there has been growing optimism, as he has been listed as day-to-day in recent updates.

The Wizards have had to wait for a guard who owns career averages of 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from three-point range. His eventual return is expected to provide a significant boost at the point guard position.

After several seasons of limited postseason success in Atlanta, Young now faces a critical stretch in his NBA career. With a new environment and a leadership role awaiting him, he must prove that his best basketball is still ahead as the Wizards continue building toward the future.

This bittersweet moment unfolded on Monday night against the Wizards, a team that has struggled in the early stages of the regular season. Cunningham joined the ranks of Jordan as the only two players in NBA history to record 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists, and 5+ steals in a single game. However, he also surpassed Bryant by missing more than 30 shots in a single game.

Despite these dramatic moments, the silver lining for Cunningham and the Pistons was the victory, as Detroit boasts an impressive 9-2 record at the onset of the regular season. This success ignites hope among the Pistons’ fan base, dreaming to achieve great things in the playoffs.

Cunningham’s leadership, alongside Dennis Jenkins, who excelled against the Wizards by scoring 24 points in 34 minutes, has generated considerable excitement among Eastern Conference teams. The Pistons currently top the standings, enjoying a comfortable lead over the New York Knicks.

Cunningham’s stellar stats this regular season

As the Pistons’ star continues to make headlines with his outstanding performance, his statistics are drawing attention within the Eastern Conference, providing insight into why the Pistons have enjoyed such a successful start to the season.

Leading the league in games played so far (11), Cunningham has averaged 27.5 points per game, along with 9.9 assists in 37 minutes of playing time per game. On Monday night, Cunningham played 45 minutes, nearly scoring one point for every minute he was on the court.

Other key contributors to the Pistons’ strong start

Undeniably, Cunningham is spearheading the team in nearly every statistical category. Yet, the cohesion within the Pistons is fueled by the consistent performance of their starting lineup. Alongside Jalen Duren, Ron Holland, Duncan Robinson, and Javonte Green, Cunningham and the Pistons are enjoying an excellent start this season.

Significantly, Duren has been contributing 19 points per game, ranking second-highest on the team, while also securing 12 rebounds per matchup. Given these dynamics, the fan base holds high expectations for a team that is catching everyone off guard in the NBA.