Washington Wizards: Dybantsa's home debut helps squad rout Hornets

AJ Dybantsa made his home debut for the Washington Wizards on Friday, scoring 17 points in a 95-79 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The 19-year-old rookie, who missed the season opener due to an ankle injury, played his first game on Wednesday night against Cleveland, where he scored 19 points in a loss.

The Wizards controlled the pace of the game by limiting the Hornets to just 13 points in the third quarter. This defensive effort secured a comfortable win in the opening night of the NBA Cup, a mid-season tournament that interrupts the regular schedule. Anthony Davis contributed 25 points and 13 rebounds for Washington, while Trae Young added 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

Dybantsa displayed composure in front of the home crowd despite a few key moments. Officials disallowed a spectacular offensive rebound and basket in the fourth quarter due to a rim interference call. Shortly after, he drove to the basket, changed hands, and scored while drawing a foul. The home crowd began chanting for him to be named Rookie of the Year following the play.

The Hornets' poor shooting provided the main narrative of the contest. Charlotte led by 10 points in the first quarter after making 4 of 10 three-point attempts. They then made only four of their next 29 long-range shots. The team finished with a 29.7% field goal percentage and went 12 of 56 from beyond the arc.

Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 19 points. The loss adds to Charlotte's struggles with scoring, as they are now responsible for the two lowest-scoring games in the NBA this season. They previously scored 81 points in a loss to Atlanta on October 23.

The Wizards' performance in the third quarter proved decisive in their final margin. The Hornets' inability to convert from distance kept their offense stagnant throughout the second half. Washington maintained their lead as the game clock wound down, securing the win without facing a late surge.