What happened: Washington officially listed forward AJ Dybantsa as out with a left ankle sprain for Monday's matchup in Charlotte, per Greg Finberg. The decision keeps Dybantsa sidelined for a third consecutive game as the franchise takes a conservative approach early in the 2026-27 regular season.

Why it matters: Dybantsa entered the league as the centerpiece of Washington's rebuild after the Wizards selected him No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Holding him out on the road prioritizes his long-term recovery while the active roster has opened the schedule with two wins in its first three outings.

What to watch: Washington and Charlotte meet Monday in North Carolina, with Dybantsa's next opportunity to make his NBA regular-season debut coming after the road trip.