2026 NBA Draft Class: Opening Week Debuts and Lottery Pick Schedule
- Twelve of the 14 lottery picks from the 2026 NBA Draft class prepare to make their regular-season debuts on Wednesday, led by high-profile first-year players hitting the floor...
- Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer enters the league physically prepared and carrying heavy expectations as the No.
- 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson opens his career after closing his preseason schedule with 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Twelve of the 14 lottery picks from the 2026 NBA Draft class prepare to make their regular-season debuts on Wednesday, led by high-profile first-year players hitting the floor across the league. According to nba.com reporting, opening week brings debuts of top prospects including Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson and Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer, though No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa remains sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
Cameron Boozer Debuts Against Utah After Emerging As Top Rookie Pick
Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer enters the league physically prepared and carrying heavy expectations as the No. 3 overall pick. Sourced reporting notes that Boozer was picked to win Rookie of the Year in the 2026-27 NBA GM Survey after logging consistent preseason performances with at least 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists in four contests. He makes his regular-season debut on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBA League Pass.
Aday Mara MAKING PLAYS in his first NBA game 🔥Big-time swat at the rim.Two-hand alley-oop slam.The Thunder lead in Q3! pic.twitter.com/YJpmoBAm8J
Across the floor in Memphis, Utah Jazz No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson opens his career after closing his preseason schedule with 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Peterson and Boozer highlight a packed Wednesday slate that features nearly every lottery selection from the 2026 draft class getting their first taste of regular-season action.
Injuries Side Line Top Pick AJ Dybantsa And Limit Milwaukee Rookies
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa will not make his anticipated debut during the team’s season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a sprained left ankle listed as day-to-day by nba.com. Dybantsa scored in double figures across all four preseason games before sustaining the injury, leaving Washington fans waiting for the top pick’s first official appearance.
Milwaukee features two rookies navigating health concerns for Wednesday’s matchup against Washington. No. 10 pick Brayden Burries enters the rotation after being voted the biggest draft steal in the 2026-27 NBA GM Survey, while No. 13 pick Nate Ament is listed as probable after a preseason ankle sprain limited him to 23 minutes across two games.
Aday Mara Opens Thunder Season With Block On Victor Wembanyama
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara already completed his regular-season debut on Tuesday, contributing seven points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block in nearly 12 minutes during a 116-104 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. Mara’s night included a defensive rejection of Victor Wembanyama’s alley-oop attempt.
The rest of the lottery selections cap off their opening week introductions on Wednesday night. Chicago Bulls No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson visits the Toronto Raptors after shooting 43.5 percent from the field in the preseason, while LA Clippers No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler, Sacramento Kings No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr., and Golden State Warriors No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg round out a busy night of rookie debuts across the schedule.