Wizards' Dybantsa Outduels Jazz's Peterson in Summer League

The 2026 Las Vegas Summer League commenced with a thrilling matchup between the top two projected NBA Draft picks, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa, representing the Washington Wizards, delivered a standout performance with 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, guiding his team to a hard-fought 92-88 victory over Peterson's Utah Jazz. This game marked a notable shift in their individual rivalry, as it was Dybantsa's first win against Peterson in their four encounters over the past 2.5 years.

Peterson, who was selected second overall after Dybantsa, put up a strong 24 points for the Jazz, contributing to their comeback efforts in the second half. The close contest saw intense moments, including a head-to-head battle between the two stars in the final seconds of the first half. Despite Peterson's consistent success in their previous meetings, including a high-scoring high school game and a college matchup, Dybantsa's performance on Friday demonstrated why he was considered the number one pick in this year's deep draft class.

The Summer League action continues, with the tournament set to conclude on July 19. The Wizards, led by Dybantsa, are scheduled to play the Kings on Sunday, July 13, while the Jazz will face the Clippers immediately afterward.