Dybantsa had been sidelined for the first four games of the season while recovering from a sprained ankle. His performance was immediate, as he contributed nine points in the opening quarter alone. The 19-point outing marked the highest scoring total for a Wizards player in their career debut since Tom Gugliotta recorded 20 points back in 1992.
Cleveland rallies to extend winning streak
While Dybantsa’s debut was a personal success, the Cavaliers ultimately controlled the second half to secure their third consecutive victory. Cleveland’s comeback was fueled by
The Wizards held a 76-63 lead following an alley-oop finish by Dybantsa, set up by teammate Kyshawn George, who finished the game with 11 assists. However, the momentum shifted as Cleveland mounted a 14-6 run. The Cavaliers reclaimed the lead for the first time since the opening quarter when Mobley converted a layup with 11:19 remaining, putting the hosts ahead 94-92. A decisive 9-0 surge late in the game allowed Cleveland to pull away and extend their active winning streak against Washington to 17 games.
For Washington, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr both contributed 18 points, while Bilal Coulibaly added 17 points, notably converting his first eight field goal attempts. Despite the loss, the debut of the No. 1 overall pick provided a notable narrative for the Wizards as they look to integrate their young talent into the rotation.
