AJ Dybantsa will miss Wizards opener with ankle injury

AJ Dybantsa's NBA debut will wait beyond Wednesday's opener against Milwaukee. Wizards coach Brian Keefe ruled the No. 1 draft pick out Tuesday because of an ankle injury and said his status afterward remains day-to-day, The Athletic's Josh Robbins reported.

Ben Strober, who covers Washington for Locked On Wizards, separately reported Keefe's announcement from Tuesday's media availability.

Dybantsa injured his left ankle during the second quarter of Friday's preseason finale against New Orleans. He landed awkwardly after a shot attempt and did not return, finishing with 12 points and two rebounds in 15 minutes. The injury has been described as a mild sprain.

Rookie Wire reported that Dybantsa took part in on-court shooting Monday and was present for part of Tuesday's practice. That activity did not amount to clearance for the opener. Keefe's day-to-day description also leaves Washington's next game, at home against Toronto on Friday, without a confirmed return date for the rookie.

Dybantsa averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in four preseason appearances, shooting 43.9 percent from the field. He scored at least 11 points in each game.

Washington selected the former BYU forward first overall in June. His first regular-season minutes will come in a roster that combines a young group with veterans Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton. Wednesday's game will begin that season without him.

Milwaukee visits Capital One Arena on October 21. Toronto follows on October 23; Washington has not said Dybantsa will be available for that game.