AJ Dybantsa claimed the first NBA chapter of his rivalry with Darryn Peterson, scoring 27 points as the Washington Wizards held off the Utah Jazz 92-88 on Thursday in one of the most anticipated opening-night games in recent Las Vegas Summer League history.

Dybantsa, selected first overall by Washington in the 2026 NBA Draft, added seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in his professional debut. He scored 19 points in the first half, helping the Wizards take a 54-37 lead into the break before Utah mounted a sustained second-half comeback.

Peterson, the No. 2 pick, led the Jazz with 24 points and added three assists and a block. He needed time to settle into the game as Washington’s size and athleticism disrupted Utah early, but he became increasingly effective late. Consecutive Peterson baskets brought the Jazz within one point with 1:22 remaining, turning what had appeared to be a comfortable Wizards victory into a possession-by-possession finish.

Washington answered through Will Riley, who scored the final six points of the game. His closing run stopped Utah’s comeback and allowed the Wizards to leave the Thomas & Mack Center with a victory in the first game of the Las Vegas competition.

The night belonged primarily to Dybantsa, whose combination of length, power and open-floor speed repeatedly created problems for Utah. The 6-foot-9 former BYU standout scored the Wizards’ first basket and produced 11 points and four rebounds in the opening quarter. One of his most notable plays came on an explosive dunk through contact that energized the sold-out arena and illustrated the physical tools that placed him at the top of Washington’s draft board.

Dybantsa’s 27 points tied Blake Griffin for the most scored by a No. 1 overall pick in a Las Vegas Summer League debut. The mark added historical context to an exhibition performance, though the more relevant development for Washington was how readily Dybantsa created pressure at the rim while contributing as a rebounder and defender.

He also received substantial offensive support. Tre Johnson, Washington’s first-round pick in 2025, scored 26 points. Dybantsa and Johnson combined for 53, presenting the Wizards with an early glimpse of how two high-level scorers could function together. Their ability to attack from different positions helped Washington establish its first-half advantage and forced Utah to defend multiple creators.

The performance was particularly significant for a Wizards organization attempting to build a sustainable young core. Washington’s Summer League lineup featured several recent draft selections, and veteran members of the NBA roster watched from courtside. Trae Young, Anthony Davis, DeAndre Ayton, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George were among the Wizards players in attendance, according to NBA.com.

Utah’s young players also responded after halftime. Cody Williams scored 16 points and recorded four steals, contributing on both ends as the Jazz reduced the deficit. Peterson then assumed a larger role during the closing stretch, displaying the shot-making ability and competitive edge that made him one of the draft’s leading prospects.

Peterson acknowledged after the game that Dybantsa being selected ahead of him would remain a source of motivation. He also emphasized that the teams’ first Summer League meeting would not be their last. For Utah, the encouraging element was Peterson’s willingness to continue attacking after a difficult opening and his ability to create points when the game tightened.

The matchup carried more history than a typical meeting between newly drafted players. Dybantsa and Peterson had faced each other three times over the previous two and a half years, with Peterson emerging with the stronger result in each contest, according to NBA.com. Their encounters included a high school game in which they combined for more than 100 points and a college meeting between Kansas and BYU.

Peterson scored 18 points in the first half of that college matchup before leaving because of physical discomfort, while Kansas defeated Dybantsa and BYU. Those earlier results became part of the debate over which prospect deserved to be selected first. Washington ultimately chose Dybantsa, while Utah took Peterson with the following pick.

Thursday’s result does not resolve any long-term comparison. Summer League teams operate with limited preparation, changing rotations and players whose roles may differ substantially during the regular season. Highly drafted prospects are also often removed from the competition after only a few appearances, particularly once teams believe they have gathered enough developmental information.

Even within those limitations, Dybantsa demonstrated several traits that should translate. He attacked available space decisively, used his size to finish around the basket and remained involved defensively. He also played within an offense that included other scorers rather than requiring every possession to run through him, an important adjustment for a rookie entering a roster with established NBA players.

Peterson’s closing stretch offered a different but equally relevant signal. The Jazz guard showed that he could recover from an uneven beginning, find scoring opportunities against a long defense and produce under late-game pressure. Utah will continue evaluating his decision-making and ability to manage physical defensive coverage as Summer League progresses.

The Wizards and Jazz return to action Sunday. Washington is scheduled to play the Sacramento Kings, while Utah will face the Los Angeles Clippers. Those games will provide the next developmental test for the top two picks, although their head-to-head opener has already established a prominent storyline for the 2026 rookie class.

For one night, Dybantsa had the advantage: the higher point total, the record-tying debut and the team victory. Peterson’s late response ensured that the outcome felt less like a conclusion than the beginning of a rivalry likely to follow both players well beyond Las Vegas.