AJ Dybantsa made a strong impression in his home debut for the Washington Wizards on Friday night, scoring 17 points as the team defeated the Charlotte Hornets 95-79 at Capital One Arena. The rookie, who was the No. 1 overall pick, drew enthusiastic “MVP!” chants from the crowd during the game, highlighting expectations for his role in Washington’s future.

The Wizards built a 51-46 lead by halftime, with Dybantsa’s speed and cutting ability putting consistent pressure on Charlotte’s defense. Guard Trae Young contributed eight points and three assists in the second quarter, while Anthony Davis led the team with 25 points, marking his third 25-plus point game in six outings.

Washington’s defensive effort was a significant factor in the victory. The Wizards limited the Hornets to just 33 points in the second half, far below Charlotte’s season average for scoring and their overall league ranking as the lowest-scoring team. Charlotte managed only 13 points in the third quarter, during which Washington extended its lead to as many as 25 points. The Wizards maintained a minimum 14-point advantage through the final period.

Rebounding also played a key role in Washington’s win. Despite entering the game ranked near the bottom of the NBA in rebounds per game, the Wizards kept the rebounding margin close, losing the battle on the glass by only two. Dybantsa secured eight rebounds, second on the team behind Davis’s 13. This was a noticeable improvement compared to their recent loss to Charlotte, when they were outrebounded by 13.

The Hornets were led by Brandon Miller, who scored 19 points but was limited compared to a career-high 39-point performance against the Wizards earlier in the week. The Hornets struggled to get inside the paint, with only a handful of points in the key area during the third quarter, partly due to Washington’s defensive pressure forcing them into lower-percentage perimeter attempts.

Dybantsa’s highlight moments included a putback dunk in the fourth quarter, which was controversially ruled basket interference, sparking a brief reaction from the crowd, followed by an and-one play that energized the arena. His early scoring, including Washington’s first field goal on a layup within four minutes, helped stabilize the offense after a sluggish first quarter marked by poor shooting and isolation plays.

While the victory and Dybantsa’s performance offered encouraging signs for Washington, the team will need to sustain such defensive intensity and improve on offense against stronger competition to solidify its standing as a postseason contender. The Wizards are set to continue their schedule with a game against the Orlando Magic on Monday.