October 22, 2026 at 5:51 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Wizards open the new era with a 128-116 win over Bucks, no Dybantsa required

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Washington beat Milwaukee by 12 in its regular season opener while the No. 1 pick sat out with an ankle injury.

The Wizards began their season with a 128-116 win over the Bucks on Wednesday night, and they did it without AJ Dybantsa. The No. 1 pick was ruled out of the opener with an ankle injury. That delayed his debut and forced Washington to build its first lineup of the year around someone else.

It was meant to be a fresh start in any case. The Wizards arrived at their home opener with a rebuilt roster and a franchise talking openly about a new era. Across from them was a Bucks team that had also turned over much of its roster. Milwaukee came in with plenty of doubts about its defense, and the outside view of the group was not kind. A 12-point loss on the road will not change many minds.

The Dybantsa news is not expected to linger. He is considered day-to-day, and the most likely target for his first appearance is Friday, Oct. 23, against the Toronto Raptors. Washington gets a quick look at how it functions without him, and then, if the ankle cooperates, a look at how it functions with him.

Oddsmakers had made the Wizards about 4.5-point favorites, and they covered with room to spare. The night was also Anthony Davis's official debut in a Washington uniform. With Dybantsa out, he and Trae Young were expected to carry the offense, and the Wizards got what they needed from that arrangement. It is one game, but it is a win to start a new era.

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