NBA teams must decide by Monday, Nov. 2, whether to exercise 2027/28 rookie‑scale options for 17 first‑rounders. So far 35 options are locked in, including the Spurs’ $11 million fourth‑year pick Stephon Castle. Unsettled deals range from the Hornets’ $11,017,560 third‑year option on Kon Knueppel—likely a yes—to the uncertain fourth‑year pick Tidjane Salaun at $10.4 M, given his limited role. Other teams facing choices include the Hawks (Asa Newell), Nuggets (DaRon Holmes), Bucks (Kel’el Ware), Thunder (Nikola Topic, Jared McCain), Jazz (Ace Bailey, Isaiah Collier) and Wizards (Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Will Riley).
The Charlotte Hornets never got off the bus and were blown out by the Washington Wizards, 95-79.
The post Charlotte Hornets vs Washington Wizards: Game 6 NBA Cup Recap and Analysis first appeared on At The Hive .
Mavericks Kyrie Irving had been working his way back into form. Friday looked a lot more like the version the Mavericks were waiting for. Irving scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and added nine assists as Dallas handed the Rockets their first loss, 116-111. As Austin Veazey of Mavs On SI […]
The post NBA Notes: Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Wizards, AJ Dybantsa, Nets appeared first on Hoops Wire .
After Washington Wizards’ top prospect AJ Dybantsa made his NBA debut, he talked about what he’s learned from Anthony Davis. Dybantsa finished with 19 points against the Cleveland Cavs. Then, he helped the Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets 95-79 in his first NBA Cup matchup. After the win, Dybantsa revealed how Davis has influenced his […]
The post Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa reveals biggest lesson he’s learned from Anthony Davis so far appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Rookie first overall pick AJ Dybantsa led the Washington Wizards, dominating the Charlotte Hornets 95-79 on Friday night.
The post Wizards dethrone Hornets to a 95- 79 home win appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Payton Pritchard leads the Boston Celtics past the Chicago Bulls 125-111 in their NBA Cup group‑play debut, extending the Celtics’ win streak to 4‑1. Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson also shine as Boston builds a 44-25 first‑quarter lead and finishes the half with 80 points, the season’s highest. The victory ties the Celtics with the Washington Wizards for the East Group C lead, with both teams 1‑0; tiebreakers will hinge on point differential (+14 for Boston, +16 for Washington). The Bulls miss Nic Claxton and Dailyn Swain, while Boston’s Devin Carter sits out with mononucleosis.
The Wizards clinch a 95-79 win over the Hornets in their NBA Cup opener, thanks to a stifling defense and timely scoring bursts. A 16-8 run gave Washington a 51-46 halftime edge, and a 28-13 third‑quarter blitz sealed the lead. Trae Young leads with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, drawing fouls at a league‑top rate and shooting 12‑14 from the line. Anthony Davis adds 25 points and 13 boards, while rookie AJ Dybantsa contributes 17 points and eight rebounds. The Hornets struggled, shooting just 35.3% on twos, 21.4% on threes and 58.3% at the stripe, leaving the Wizards 3‑3 overall and 1‑0 in Cup play.
The Washington Wizards bought low on Anthony Davis, and the big man looks like a superstar after the first six games.
On the Gil's Arena podcast, former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins pitches a one-for-one blockbuster: sending Anthony Davis to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Rudy Gobert. Cousins argues the Wizards could avoid a hefty AD extension while giving rookie AJ Dybansta more touches, and the Timberwolves would gain a scoring center to compensate for Anthony Edwards' 30-game knee layoff. He notes Gobert’s recent slump (23.1% at the rim, 0‑for‑13 in two games) and highlights the cap and health concerns surrounding Davis, who has missed most games over the past two seasons. The proposal sparks debate over its feasibility for both franchises.
Start time, how to watch, and other stuff for the first NBA Cup match of the season between the Hornets and Wizards.
The post Charlotte Hornets vs Washington Wizards: Game 6 NBA Cup preview and discussion first appeared on At The Hive .
After a 110-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets—where Washington was out‑rebounded 54-41 and surrendered 26 second‑chance points—the Wizards look to break a five‑game losing streak against Charlotte on Friday at Capital One Arena. Trae Young will lead a lineup missing Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins, while AJ Dybantsa stays on limited minutes and Tre Johnson remains a game‑time decision. The Hornets also deal injuries, including Coby White and Grant Williams. Tip‑off is 7 p.m., televised on Monumental Sports Network.
The Celtics kick off the 2026 NBA Cup on Friday, Oct. 30, facing the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden before four more group games against Charlotte (Nov. 6), Washington (Nov. 24 on NBC), and a second home showdown with Atlanta (Nov. 26). Boston is favored, but each opponent brings a specific threat: the Bulls’ rookie Caleb Wilson (17 points vs Boston) and veteran Norman Powell, the Hornets’ rebounding prowess despite roster churn, the Wizards’ improved offense with rookie AJ Dybantsa, and the Hawks’ elite offense and low‑turnover play led by All‑Star Jalen Johnson. Limiting turnovers and controlling the glass will be key for Boston’s path to the group‑stage crown.
Wizards AJ Dybantsa waited four games to make his NBA debut. Once he got out there, he didn’t look particularly interested in easing into things. The No. 1 overall pick scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Wednesday’s loss at Cleveland, adding two rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. He had missed Washington’s […]
The post NBA Notes: Wizards, AJ Dybantsa, Rockets, Fred VanVleet, Warriors appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins suggests the Minnesota Timberwolves trade Rudy Gobert to the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis to offset Anthony Edwards' absence. Cousins argues Davis would provide a new offensive focal point alongside LaMelo Ball, while Gobert’s recent scoring woes make him expendable. He also cites Washington’s possible reluctance to extend Davis and the opportunity to give rookie AJ Dybantsa more touches. However, the proposal faces hurdles: Wizards would need a compelling reason to part with Davis, salary matching, and roster fit. The idea remains a provocative podcast discussion, not a concrete trade plan.
The Wizards need more on-ball creation and playmaking in their rotation. Tre Mann could provide a different dimension to an offense searching for answers.
The Washington Wizards host the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET for the NBA Cup group‑stage opener at Capital One Arena. Both teams are dealing with injuries—Wizards missing Tre Johnson, Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins; Hornets out Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell. After a surprising loss to Charlotte earlier in the week, the Wizards aim to reverse the result and test the chemistry of their new All‑Star‑laden, youth‑heavy roster. Key storylines include the Wizards’ defensive lapses, Anthony Davis’s flash of former All‑Star form, and whether Tre Young can return to full strength.
AJ Dybantsa did not disappoint in his long-awaited debut, although the Washington Wizards lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-111, at Rocket Arena on Wednesday. Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick, was efficient with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes. He shot 8-of-12 from the field. The Wizards, however, got outscored in the […]
The post Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa grabs attention with 9-word post after NBA debut appeared first on ClutchPoints .
After he missed the first four games of the 2026-27 NBA season due to an ankle injury, the Washington Wizards finally got to see prized rookie AJ Dybantsa in action as he made his debut against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. It was a strong showing for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 […]
The post AJ Dybantsa’s dad has one demand for him following stellar NBA debut appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Washington's offense looked more promising with AJ Dybantsa on the floor, but his debut also highlighted how much work remains for the Wizards' bench.
Veteran guard Garrett Temple, who spent 16 NBA seasons with 12 teams—most notably a four‑year stretch with the Washington Wizards (2012‑2016)—appears on ESPN’s Inside the NBA for a special “Who he play for?” segment. Co‑host Charles Barkley attempts to name the franchises Temple played for, surprisingly getting four of six correct, and notes that Temple now serves as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, a team he never played for. The light‑hearted bit includes playful SEC banter between Temple’s LSU Tigers and Barkley’s Auburn, highlighting Temple’s good‑natured sportsmanship as he transitions into coaching.
Kyshawn George looks like he's improving in the playmaking department, which could give the Washington Wizards some Trae Young insurance.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are buzzing about Evan Mobley’s emerging three‑point game. After opening the 2026‑27 season 12‑for‑18 from deep (66%), he hit five‑of‑six threes versus Washington and four‑of‑five in a 127‑125 overtime win over Minnesota, even with defenses like Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis sagging off him. Coach Kenny Atkinson and teammates note a new confidence and quicker release, while stressing the need to balance perimeter shooting with his traditional paint dominance. If Mobley can sustain this hot start, his shooting could reshape the Cavs’ spacing and fuel a major offensive leap.
Meleek Thomas followed his impressive NBA debut with another opportunity against Washington, strengthening his case for a regular Cavaliers rotation role.
Rookie AJ Dybantsa electrified his NBA debut for the Washington Wizards, dropping 19 points on 8‑for‑12 shooting in a 121‑111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 28, 2026. The No. 1 overall pick scored his first two career points on free throws after drawing a foul on Jarrett Allen, then went 3‑for‑3 in his opening six minutes, including a lob‑in from Trae Young and his first three‑pointer. Despite a minutes restriction from a preseason ankle sprain, Dybantsa added a mid‑range jumper and a dunk in the final quarter. His performance is the highest‑scoring Wizards rookie debut since Tom Gugliotta’s 20 points in 1992, and he heads home for his next game against the Charlotte Hornets Friday night.
The Washington Wizards got a star debut from AJ Dybantsa, which was the complete opposite performance than what Alex Sarr delivered in his first NBA game.