AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Petersen Shine in Their First Face-to-Face Encounter in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Summer League witnessed one of the most anticipated moments of the summer with the first matchup between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, the first two picks of the 2026 NBA Draft. In a Thomas & Mack Center packed with stars like Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Cooper Flagg, and Jalen Williams, the number one pick lived up to expectations leading the Washington Wizards to a 92-88 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Dybantsa put on a performance with 27 points and seven rebounds in just 26 minutes, establishing himself as the game's top scorer. On the other side, Peterson also impressed with 24 points, but couldn't prevent Utah's defeat in a game that showcased the immense potential of both players.

"Every time I play against him, it's a big stage. He had beaten me three times before, twice in high school and once in college. I wanted to finally come out with the win," explained Dybantsa after the game.

The Wizards' forward started with some shooting troubles, but soon displayed the qualities that made him the top draft pick. His physical power and athletic ability were evident in several drives, notably in a spectacular dunk over two defenders in the first quarter that got the crowd on their feet. After the play, he celebrated with a shout and a show of strength.

"It was the only way to score that basket. When I rose up with both hands, I got fouled a couple of times, so I had to dunk it," he commented on the play.

Although he finished with a modest 7 for 18 shooting from the field and missed all five attempts from the three-point line, Dybantsa compensated for those percentages with his aggressiveness near the hoop. Additionally, he dished out two assists and ensured that he can still contribute much more in rebounds and creating for his teammates.

Meanwhile, Peterson once again showed why many considered him a candidate for the top draft pick. Utah's guard scored 24 points following his stellar performances in the Salt Lake City Summer League, where he had put up 28 points against Atlanta and a double-double of 25 points and 12 assists against Memphis.

However, the shooting guard struggled against Washington's defense and ended up shooting 6 for 18 from the field, a poor 2 for 7 from beyond the arc, and committed eight turnovers.

Before the draft, Peterson had acknowledged that being picked second would always be on his mind, adding a special dimension to the matchup.

"I was really looking forward to this game. It was an important one. But the draft is over. Now I'm a player for the Utah Jazz, and I'm very happy," he stated after the loss.

Dybantsa also acknowledged being aware of his opponent's extra motivation and shared how that drove him to find his own.

"You always have to find motivation for each game. He had his, so I had to find mine. And I did," he pointed out.

Scare for Dybantsa

The only scare for Washington came when Dybantsa left the game before the end due to discomfort in one leg. However, the player played down the incident and confirmed he will be available for the Wizards' next game, on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.

The first chapter of a rivalry set to shape the next decade in the NBA concluded with a victory for AJ Dybantsa, yet both he and Darryn Peterson made it clear that this face-off won't be the last or, likely, the most significant of their careers.

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