Dybantsa outduels Peterson in Las Vegas debut
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- AJ Dybantsa scored 27 points with seven rebounds in 26 minutes in his Washington Wizards summer league debut, powering a 92-88 win over the Utah Jazz at Thomas and Mack Center
- Darryn Peterson finished with 24 points for Utah but shot 6-for-18 and committed eight turnovers in the loss
- The two top picks went a combined 2-for-12 from beyond the arc, with Dybantsa missing all five of his three-point attempts
- Dybantsa said he was motivated by Peterson having beaten him three times previously — twice in high school and once in college — adding, "I just wanted to come out on top, get a win first and foremost"
- Peterson told ESPN that being drafted No. 2 "will always be in my mind for my whole career," though he said he is "super happy" with the Jazz
- Dybantsa exited early with leg soreness but said he's good and will play Sunday against the Sacramento Kings, while stars including Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Cooper Flagg and Jalen Williams sat courtside
Why it matters: The No. 1 vs. No. 2 pick matchup drew a courtside All-Star audience and gave both franchises an early look at their rookie investments: Dybantsa delivered the win and the headline stat line despite going 0-for-5 from three, while Peterson's eight turnovers underscored the adjustment curve the Jazz will need to manage as he logs summer league minutes.
