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.
The Cavaliers overcame a 10-point halftime deficit against Washington as Anthony Davis and Trae Young struggled to carry the Wizards offensively.
The Washington Wizards slip below .500 after a 121-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 29, 2026. Despite a blistering 42‑point first quarter and a 50‑12 paint advantage that gave them a 10‑point lead at halftime, the Wizards were outscored 34‑16 inside the paint in the second half. Rookie AJ Dybantsa debuted with 19 points, a highlight‑reel lob dunk and his first NBA assist, while veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis struggled to steady the team. Cleveland’s experience, highlighted by a dominant third‑quarter block from Bilal Coulibaly, ultimately seized control.
AJ Dybantsa scored 19 points in his NBA debut, but the Washington Wizards could not hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rallied for a 121-111 victory on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena.
The post AJ Dybantsa scores 19 in NBA debut as Cavaliers rally past Wizards appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers beat the Wizards on Wednesday because they buckled down on defense. But Evan Mobley hitting five threes sure didn’t hurt. Mobley finished with a game-high 24 points and went 5-of-6 on threes as the Cavs (3-1) won their third straight, 121-111, over visiting Washington. He was 8-of-12 shooting overall. When people […]
The post Cavs’ Evan Mobley on 3-point barrage: ‘I feel like it’s sustainable’ appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa did not take long to realize that life in the NBA is a whole different beast. After missing the team’s first four games with a left ankle sprain, the No. 1 overall pick finally made his long-awaited debut on Wednesday night. While he put on a show with a team-high […]
The post Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa wants to add 2 shots to his arsenal after NBA reality check appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Cavaliers beat the Wizards 121-111 on Oct. 28, extending their winning streak to 17 games. Forward Evan Mobley leads the buzz, scoring 24 points while hitting 5‑of‑6 from three‑point range and posting 12 rebounds – he’s now 12‑for‑18 (66.7%) from beyond the arc in his first four games. Rookie Peyton Watson adds 22 points and five offensive rebounds, while Alex Sarr contributes 18 points and a defensive spark for Washington. James Harden struggles early, shooting just 27.8%, but rebounds in the second half. Coach Kenny Atkinson highlights Mobley’s newfound confidence and quicker release on threes.
CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 121-111 win over the visiting Wizards on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena. 1. I’ve come to the conclusion that these Cavs have no interest in playing a normal basketball game. They blow big leads. They fall behind big. They rally. They hang on. They make you want to […]
The post Dribbles: Cavs win again, but sure take the scenic route appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Former ESPN reporter and ex‑Trump press aide Britt McHenry releases a video explaining the viral incident that cost her a State Department role. She says she and a friend were harassed by a group heckling Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma and his fiancée, model Winnie Harlow, at a Washington Wizards game on Oct. 22, 2026. After enduring vulgar insults, McHenry threw her beer when the crowd began pelting them with drinks and towels, prompting an usher to eject the main agitator. McHenry claims she was defending Harlow and herself, expressing regret for not leaving earlier. The episode, captured by TMZ, follows previous controversies that have shadowed her career.
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers apparently needed a reminder that these aren’t the same old Wizards. Coach Kenny Atkinson delivered it at halftime Wednesday, and the Cavs responded with a 121-111 victory at Rocket Arena, overcoming a 10-point deficit for their third straight win. Evan Mobley led the way with 24 points, Peyton Watson added 22 […]
The post Cavs get wake-up call, then take care of Wizards appeared first on Hoops Wire .
AJ Dybantsa has finally arrived in the NBA. The Washington Wizards rookie made his long-awaited league debut Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. A sprained ankle grounded the former BYU Cougars star in the first four Wizards game of the 2026-27 NBA season, but he looked past that injury against the […]
The post How Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa performed in NBA debut vs. Cavs appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Washington Wizards fall 121-111 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, despite an early surge. Rookie AJ Dybantsa shines in his NBA debut, scoring 19 points—including a highlight alley‑oop dunk—and adding 11 points in the first half. Alex Sarr contributes 18 points, while Trae Young posts 14 points with 8 assists. The Wizards lead 42-34 after the first quarter and hold a 69-59 halftime edge, but Cleveland rallies, outscoring Washington 25-14 late in the third to tie at 92 before pulling away in the fourth. Washington’s offense stalls, and the loss opens their NBA Cup campaign before a rematch with Charlotte on Friday.