The Washington Wizards Summer League roster features several notable young prospects and a stacked schedule to match the talent. Among their players is the 2026 NBA Draft first-overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, who played his first game in a Washington jersey on Thursday evening. While Summer League games typically don’t matter, this one had added weight. The stars were out, and everyone was tuned in, watching the NBA’s newest rivalry.
On the opposing team, Darryn Peterson came into Summer League on a heater, determined to prove the Wizards’ front office wrong for picking the BYU product over him. While both players put on an offensive show, Dybantsa and the Wizards came out victorious in a tight game against Peterson and the Utah Jazz.
AJ Dybantsa Bests Darryn Peterson In First NBA Head-To-Head
Thursday’s contest was the first taste of Summer League action for the Wizards, while the Jazz were coming off three straight wins in the Salt Lake City Summer League, including a near-40-point blowout against the Oklahoma City Thunder. All eyes were on the draft’s top two selections, and they put on a show in their first battle on NBA hardwood.
Peterson vs. Dybantsa
Both players started the game on fire, making tough shots and scoring at will. Washington’s talent showed early, leading by nearly 20 points at halftime, led by Dybantsa with 19, highlighted by a fiery poster dunk while fighting through multiple defenders.
Even after things got tight as the game headed to the fourth, the Wizards never looked uncomfortable, and Dybantsa would finish with a game-high 27 points, and Washington would secure a 92-88 win, starting the Summer League 1-0. The BYU product would add seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals to his impressive scoring output.
However, Peterson had a game of his own. His first bucket of the night was a tough fadeaway three, and while he would only hit one other shot from beyond the arc, he did plenty of damage throughout the night. The 19-year-old would finish the game with 24 points, three rebounds, and three assists. With that being said, Peterson caught attention for collecting nine fouls and eight turnovers throughout the game, signaling he may have been trying to force things a little too much.
New Rivalry Emerging
Dybantsa and Peterson are the next great NBA rivalry. Both players were destined to go number one, with Peterson only working out in D.C for the Wizards ahead of the draft, and Dybantsa being hailed as one of the most NBA-ready prospects the league has ever seen.
Peterson has always topped Dybantsa, with the BYU product claiming it’s his first win against Peterson at any level. However, Dybantsa got the one that counted, and Peterson came second to him in Washington’s thoughts as who fit their franchise better. Peterson mentioned after the draft that he’ll always have being picked after Dybantsa on his mind.
Another great prospect is how good the Jazz and Wizards could become in the next few seasons. Both teams have been at the bottom of the barrel for the last few seasons. However, now, both teams have a great young core, with a solid veteran foundation leading them into playoff conversations.
In the upcoming season, these teams could see each other as both fight for a postseason spot in their respective conferences. This rivalry won’t just last a few seasons, but could very well become career-spanning battles between the top two players and franchises in the league.
Other Notable Contributors
While the pair of top selections were duking it out, several other players showed up and contributed. Tre Johnson finished the game with 26 points, hitting a game-high 11 shots. Cody Williams had a great showing, shooting 50% from the field and being the only other Jazz player to finish with more than 15 points. Washington’s surprise rookie from last season, Will Riley, scored 18 points and shot 5-12 from the field.
While Washington had a slight talent advantage, it didn’t stop Peterson and Utah from keeping the game close. The Wizards may be one of the most talented teams in the Summer League right now, but the Jazz showed they are plenty capable of staying with the top competition.
Featured Image: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
