Davis, Young and Dybantsa get a winning start as Wizards hold off Knicks, 111–109

The Wizards’ new combination got its first game together, and Washington got the finish it needed. Anthony Davis scored 16 points, Trae Young added 15 and rookie AJ Dybantsa had 11 with four steals as the Wizards beat the Knicks 111–109 in their preseason opener Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

The final possession was less comfortable than the lead Washington had built. Tre Mann’s three-pointer with 1:23 remaining put the Wizards ahead 111–102, but New York scored the next seven points. Tyler Nickel’s three with 27.9 seconds left cut the margin to two. After a Washington turnover, Bruce Brown missed a 17-foot pull-up with half a second remaining, and Justin Champagnie collected the rebound to finish the game.

That sequence left Washington with a useful first result and a specific closing problem to review. The Wizards committed 22 turnovers, including the late giveaway that handed New York a chance to tie. A preseason win does not count in the regular-season standings, but the possessions that nearly erased it remain relevant to preparation.

The new starters supply an early look

Davis made six of 11 shots, including two of three from beyond the arc, and grabbed seven rebounds in 16:46. Young went four of seven from the floor, made three three-pointers and finished with four assists in 17:21. Dybantsa played 23:05, shot five of 11 and contributed two rebounds and two assists alongside his four steals.

The minutes limit what can be concluded about the group’s ability to carry a full game. They nevertheless provide actual possessions to examine after a training camp built around putting the roster together. Young’s perimeter shooting, Davis’ scoring and rebounding, and Dybantsa’s defensive activity all appeared in the box score; none needs to be converted into a season-long promise after one exhibition.

Kyshawn George added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Deandre Ayton scored four points and collected 10 rebounds. Washington’s starters supplied 58 points, while the reserves contributed 53.

Washington recovers from the middle quarters

The Wizards led 30–29 after the opening quarter, but New York took a 63–57 advantage into halftime. Washington cut the deficit to 84–81 through three quarters, then won the fourth 30–25 to complete the comeback.

Champagnie scored 12 off the bench, and Bub Carrington added 11. Mann finished with six points and four assists; his late three provided the final Washington scoring of the night. Felix Okpara contributed seven points and six rebounds.

The Wizards made 13 of 33 three-pointers, compared with New York’s 11 of 38. Washington also collected 54 player rebounds against the Knicks’ 47. Those totals helped offset the turnovers, but the Wizards made only 18 of 27 free throws, another area with room to improve.

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Landry Shamet each scored 13 for New York. The Knicks used a broad preseason rotation, so this game should not be presented as a regular-season test played with postseason minutes and substitution patterns.

The most encouraging part of Washington’s opener was that several groups contributed to the recovery rather than the game depending on one extended star performance. The most immediate concern was keeping possession when the result was nearly secured. Both observations are stronger starting points for the next practice than declaring the new roster solved after one night.

Official highlights

Watch the NBA’s game video collection, including Young’s consecutive deep threes and Okpara’s alley-oop finish.