Cavaliers rally past Wizards 121-111 behind Evan Mobley, spoiling AJ Dybantsa's 19-point NBA debut

AJ Dybantsa’s long-awaited NBA debut was a good one. His team’s night was not. The Cleveland Cavaliers erased a 13-point deficit and pulled away late to beat the Washington Wizards 121-111 on Wednesday night in Cleveland, behind 24 points and 12 rebounds from Evan Mobley.

What was the Wizards vs. Cavaliers score?

Cleveland won 121-111. Washington led 69-59 at halftime and stretched the lead to 76-63 early in the third quarter on a Dybantsa alley-oop, the AP reported via FOX Sports. The Cavs then closed the third on a 29-16 run, and Donovan Mitchell’s two free throws tied it 92-92 heading into the fourth.

Mobley’s dunk to open the fourth gave Cleveland its first lead since the first quarter, 94-92. Dybantsa put the Wizards back in front 105-104, but the Cavaliers answered with nine straight points to take control, per Deadspin.

How did AJ Dybantsa play in his NBA debut?

Well. The No. 1 pick in June’s draft scored a team-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, with two rebounds and two assists, according to NBA.com and Deadspin. He had been sidelined for the first four games with a sprained left ankle, which Deadspin said he suffered in the final preseason game on Oct. 16 against New Orleans.

Highlights of his night:

• Fast start: He drew a foul and made two free throws 16 seconds in, and had nine points in the first quarter on 3-for-3 shooting, including his first NBA 3-pointer.
• A franchise note: NBA.com said it was the most points by a Wizards rookie in a debut since Tom Gugliotta scored 20 on Nov. 2, 1992. The AP, citing Sportradar, said his nine first-quarter points were the most by a Wizards rookie in a debut since at least 1996-97.
• Minutes: The AP listed him at 26 minutes and Deadspin at 27. Coach Brian Keefe said the former BYU star will stay on a minutes limit for now.

He started at shooting guard alongside Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, NBA.com reported.

Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers player stats

Cavaliers - Evan Mobley: 24 points, 12 rebounds, career-high five 3-pointers, 10 points in the fourth quarter - Peyton Watson: season-high 22 points, six rebounds in 28 minutes - Donovan Mitchell: 19 points, seven assists - Jarrett Allen: eight points, 12 rebounds, three blocks

Wizards - AJ Dybantsa: 19 points, 8-of-12 shooting - Anthony Davis: 18 points - Alex Sarr: 18 points, including 13 in the first quarter - Bilal Coulibaly: 17 points off the bench - Trae Young: 14 points, eight assists - Kyshawn George: eight points, career-high 11 assists

Coulibaly started hot, with 14 points without a miss in the first half. The AP said he made his first eight shots, and Deadspin had him at 8-of-9 for the game.

Why does this game matter?

For Cleveland, it is three straight wins after squandering a 29-point lead in a season-opening loss at Philadelphia, the AP noted, and a perfect three-game homestand. It was also the Cavs’ 17th straight win over Washington, the longest active streak against one opponent in the league. Deadspin said it ties the franchise record set against Orlando from 2013 to 2017.

For Washington, a team that started 2-2, it was a first look at what the roster can be with Dybantsa next to Young and Davis, and the early returns were encouraging even in a loss.

When do the Wizards and Cavs play next?

Per the AP, Cleveland plays at Atlanta on Thursday night, and Washington hosts Charlotte on Friday night.

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