Dybantsa Outshines Peterson as No. 1 Pick Leads Wizards Past Jazz in Summer League Opener

The first meeting between the top two picks of the 2026 NBA Draft lived up to the hype as AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson delivered standout performances on the opening day of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In front of a sold-out crowd at the Thomas & Mack Arena, it was Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards who emerged victorious with a hard-fought 92-88 win over the Utah Jazz.

Selected first overall by Washington, Dybantsa wasted little time making an impact by scoring the game’s opening basket. The 6-foot-9 wing from BYU dominated the opening quarter with 11 points and four rebounds, highlighted by a thunderous poster dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.

“It was great to get out there and play in my first NBA game,” Dybantsa said. “During summer practices I was making a lot of plays at the rim so it felt good to get out there and do more of the same.”

Reflecting on his highlight-reel dunk, he added, “I turned the corner and saw a lane and the only way I was getting that bucket was dunking because I had been fouled, like, two times so the only way to finish was punching it.”

Dybantsa finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, while backcourt partner Tre Johnson added to Washington’s offensive firepower as the duo combined for 53 points.

“I played with Tre one time in high school and our games kind of match up with each other,” Dybantsa said. “You’re not going to be able to guard both of us with our scoring ability.”

Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick by Utah, recovered from a slow start to finish with 24 points and nearly inspired a late comeback. The two highly rated prospects even went head-to-head on the final possession of the first half, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, before Peterson scored back-to-back baskets late in the game to pull the Jazz within a point.

“Every year, there’s always someone in the draft taken above someone else and him going ahead of me is just going to drive me to be a better player,” Peterson said. “This isn’t the last time we’ll match up.”

Cody Williams added 16 points and four steals for Utah in defeat.

The latest chapter in the growing rivalry marked the fourth meeting between Dybantsa and Peterson in the last two and a half years. After losing each of the previous three encounters, Dybantsa finally came out on top.

“Every time I play against DP it’s always a great setting,” Dybantsa said. “He got the best of me three times so I just wanted to come out on top.”

The Summer League continues through July 19, with Washington facing the Sacramento Kings on Sunday before Utah takes on the Los Angeles Clippers.