AJ Dybantsa Gets Win Over Darryn Peterson in Summer League Showdown

NBA Summer League is officially here, and on the first day of action in Las Vegas, the marquee event was the Utah Jazz facing the Washington Wizards as the top two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft went head-to-head.

Both projected to be franchise-altering talents and potentially superstar-level players at some point in their NBA careers, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson went toe-to-toe in what was one of the most impressive Summer League matchups in recent memory.

Dybantsa ultimately scored more than Peterson and led the Wizards to a 92-88 victory over the Jazz. The No. 1 overall pick finished with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Peterson scored 24 points for Utah.

But of course, individual accolades and final scores in this event should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Peterson was just as impressive, even though he didn’t score as many points. He got off to a slower start, but his touch, shot-making and ability to make the game look so easy were wildly impressive.

Dybantsa showed off his scoring upside, insane athleticism, shot creation and ability to be a relentless downhill force. It was another reminder that he has the tools to become one of the best scorers in the league very soon.

While nobody is winning NBA Rookie of the Year in Las Vegas in July, this was a great preview of what basketball fans have to look forward to during the 2026-27 season.

It also felt like the first chapter of what could eventually become one of the NBA’s next great individual rivalries. Both players were worthy of consideration for the No. 1 pick, but only one could be taken there, and Washington chose Dybantsa.

As they continue to develop, this certainly won’t be the last time a Wizards-Jazz matchup receives the primetime treatment.

But it was a pretty exciting first chapter.