AJ Dybantsa’s status remains in doubt as the Wizards prepare for Wednesday’s season opener against the Bucks.
The No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft sprained his left ankle after landing awkwardly on a mid-range jump shot during the second quarter of Friday’s preseason game against the Pelicans. The Wizards lost, 107–106, to conclude the preseason with a 2–2 record. Dybantsa scored 12 points in 15 minutes before getting injured.
He didn’t return to the game, and Wizards coach Brian Keefe said on Friday that the decision to remove him from the contest was precautionary.
Asked on Sunday if Dybantsa would play against the Bucks, Keefe told reporters, “We’re just going to take it one day at a time.”
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Dybantsa was seen shooting free throws at the end of the team’s practice on Monday, and Keefe said the 6-foot-9 forward’s status remains day-to-day.
The Wizards are expected to practice on Tuesday and have a traditional pregame shootaround, giving the coaching staff two more opportunities to evaluate Dybantsa before Wednesday’s opener.
Dybantsa proved durable last year in his lone college season at BYU, playing in 35 games while leading the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game. His only known ailment with the Cougars was an illness he played through in a January game against TCU.
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