On July 10, Beijing time, the Summer League headliner pitted top pick Dybantsa against second overall pick Peterson. Respected US media Bleacher Report provided an initial evaluation combining final statistics, viewing experience, and on-court output, but reminded it's just Summer League action. Dybantsa earned a A- grade, while Peterson got a D+. Here's the detailed breakdown and ratings——

AJ Dybantsa

Full game stats: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, shooting 7-for-18 from the field, 0-for-5 from three

Highlights

Dybantsa's entire package of offensive moves with the ball seemed ready to seamlessly transition to the pro level. His 27 points tied the record set by Griffin for the highest scoring debut by a No.1 pick in Las Vegas Summer League history.

The vast majority of Dybantsa's points came from creating his own shot opportunities and drawing fouls. Whether attacking from the left or right side in half-court sets, his offensive rhythm remained composed. The Jazz frequently threw double teams at the 19-year-old rookie, yet this barely disrupted his flow. He consistently found the balance between patient playmaking and decisive drives, dissecting the defense layer by layer.

Even the slightest physical mismatch allowed him to carve out shooting space with ease. Dybantsa effectively used his height advantage for turnaround jumpers, and his long, crossover dribble strides easily bypassed the first defender. He also displayed strong physicality, powering through multiple defenders to finish at the rim.

The most encouraging aspect of Dybantsa's usage by the Wizards this game was the heavy reliance on him to initiate offense. While Summer League-specific schemes certainly played a role, it also hinted at Washington's regular-season plans for him—at least according to Wizards head coach Brian Keefe, who told ESPN in the fourth quarter.

Weaknesses

Defensively, Dybantsa struggled against moderate-to-intense physical pressure. He recorded only 2 steals and 1 block, showing limited presence in help defense.

The rookie's three-point touch was clearly off, going 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, with more than half of those attempts looking forced or hesitant.

One note not factored into the grade: Dybantsa headed to the bench after fouling Peterson late in the fourth quarter. Postgame, he mentioned it was just leg soreness and nothing serious—hoping it's minor.

Summer League game grade: A-

Aside from his shaky three-point shooting, Dybantsa exceeded the already sky-high external expectations.

He also delivered two impressive playmaking passes, including a creative between-the-legs pass in transition. In future games, he can work more off the ball, but his ball-dominant point-center approach this evening never disrupted the team's offensive flow.

Under heavy on-ball usage throughout the game, committing just one turnover was remarkable. Even if his outside shooting doesn't stabilize soon, he can reliably put up 20+ points per game, and more crucially, he will significantly boost the Wizards' overall offensive firepower.

Darin Peterson

Full game stats: 24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, shooting 6-for-18 from the field, 2-for-7 from three, 8 turnovers, 9 fouls

Highlights

Despite going just 6-for-18, Peterson's on-court demeanor made it easy to believe that once he enters regular NBA action, he'll consistently knock down a lot of shots.

The 19-year-old rookie poured in 24 points and drew fouls at an efficient rate. His floater shows real promise, and like Dybantsa, he already possesses the ability to make highly difficult shots.

Utah defaulted to giving Peterson the ball to orchestrate the offense tonight, though in the regular season he will rarely shoulder that role—which actually works in his favor.

When facing screens and double teams, Peterson willingly passed the ball; his off-ball movement and spacing rhythm also looked natural. When paired with Keyonte George in the regular season, he will be at his most dangerous as a secondary scoring option.

Weaknesses

Peterson turned in a sharp Salt Lake City Summer League outing with 12 assists against just 2 turnovers, but in his Las Vegas debut he completely flipped, posting 3 assists and 8 turnovers—the tape looked as bad as the numbers.

Wizards players (especially Watkins, who thrives in physical play) hounded Peterson all game, sticking to him relentlessly and clearly disrupting his rhythm. His turnovers came in all varieties: errant passes, lost dribbles, offensive fouls, and even stepping out of bounds.

His athleticism didn't fully show either. While not lumbering or sluggish, on many possessions he rushed mid-range jumpers instead of driving all the way to the baseline and finishing at the rim, inadvertently relieving pressure on the Wizards' defense.

This point alone isn't fatal—Peterson's turnaround and floater touch is polished. But how deep into the paint he can consistently penetrate remains an open question.

He also accumulated 9 personal fouls, which on the surface looks like a defensive liability, but it wasn't purely a defensive issue. The Wizards didn't trap him like Utah did to Tre Johnson, yet he failed to play at the level of a mobile, two-way defender.

Summer League game grade: D+

A quick disclaimer: this is a single-game grade and does not define his entire career—let's avoid out-of-context takes on social media. Peterson's talent is evident, and he will undoubtedly deliver strong performances in the future. But in this particular game, he fell well short of his own standard.

Most of the issues exposed tonight won't haunt him long-term. If there's one area needing priority adjustment, it's his rushed mid-range decisions in half-court offense and his offensive decision-making against intense physical contact.

At least for now, his shot selection and ability to create space when holding the ball are his core weaknesses. Once the regular season begins and he shares the court with Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Lauri Markkanen, he won't face constant focused defense. But if he still shoots 1-for-5 on near-the-rim attempts in Utah's core lineup, that's when we'll need to have a real conversation about his issues.