NBA Rookie Watch: Which New Players Were In The Headlines In The Opening Night Of Games?

Let's be honest about how opening night went for the rookie class of 2026's top three picks: one watched in street clothes, and two were upstaged by an unheralded 29-year-old. AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick, landed awkwardly on his left ankle after a mid-range jumper in Washington's preseason finale against New Orleans on October 16, limped off, and was ruled out of the Wizards' opening day win at home to Milwaukee. Down in Memphis, Darryn Peterson versus Cameron Boozer was billed as one of the o...