Wizards Keep Rookie AJ Dybantsa Sidelined With Ankle Sprain

The Washington Wizards are already putting their shiny new toy back in the box. Rookie forward AJ Dybantsa has been officially ruled out for Friday's game with a left ankle sprain, according to head coach Brian Keefe.

Dybantsa tweaked the ankle in last Friday's preseason finale loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Getting hurt in the final meaningless exhibition game of the year is the basketball equivalent of dropping your phone in a puddle while walking into the repair store.

"Head coach Brian Keefe termed the injury a mild ankle sprain and considers Dybantsa day-to-day."

Keefe is calling it a mild sprain and keeping the day-to-day tag alive. That is standard coach-speak for a team that is not panicking, but also has zero incentive to rush a prized rookie back onto the floor just to prove a point in October.

For anyone staring at Wizards game lines or rookie prop markets, this is an immediate headache. Washington already had to navigate Wednesday's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks without him. Taking Dybantsa out of the rotation removes a massive chunk of their offensive upside and forces bettors to guess how the remaining usage gets carved up among a roster of veteran role players.

It is also a brutal tease for a fanbase that desperately needs a reason to watch. When your team is rebuilding, the rookies are the entire show. Without Dybantsa on the floor, a Wizards game goes from a glimpse at the future to a very long two and a half hours of cardio.

The silver lining here is that the injury genuinely seems minor. Dybantsa will spend the weekend in the training room, and the market will adjust to his absence. Keep an eye on the injury report early next week to see when Washington finally decides to take the bubble wrap off.