The highly anticipated 2026 NBA Summer League tips off in Las Vegas with a marquee matchup featuring the top two picks from last month's draft. The Utah Jazz, led by No. 2 overall selection Darryn Peterson, will face off against AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards. This showdown has been circled on calendars since draft night, pitting two immensely talented wings against each other in their first official NBA-sanctioned contest. Peterson has already made noise in the Salt Lake City Summer League, while Dybantsa will be making his debut for the Wizards.
Peterson has wasted no time showcasing the offensive arsenal that made him a consensus top prospect. In his Salt Lake City Summer League debut, he scored 28 points against the Atlanta Hawks. He followed that up with an impressive 25-point, 12-assist double-double against the Memphis Grizzlies. Peterson admitted after the game against Memphis that he always tries to find something about the players he’s going up against to use as motivation.
Jazz assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski emphasized the team aspect of Summer League, but also acknowledged the individual motivation that comes with such a high-profile matchup. Peterson himself admitted to using perceived slights and rivalries as fuel, noting his motivation against Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick, and even a college opponent from the NCAA Tournament. This competitive fire, a characteristic often seen in elite players, suggests that facing Dybantsa, the player drafted immediately before him, will undoubtedly ignite Peterson.
This initial Summer League clash is merely the first chapter in what promises to be a long-running narrative between Peterson and Dybantsa. Both players are expected to be foundational pieces for their respective franchises for years to come. While Summer League results rarely dictate future success, the individual performances in this game will offer an early glimpse into their readiness for the NBA stage and their ability to perform under the bright lights. Games against Dybantsa and the Wizards will always have some baked in motivation for Peterson.
Utah Jazz 