CLEVELAND (AP) — Evan Mobley had 24 points, Peyton Watson added 22 and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied in the second half for a 121-111 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, spoiling AJ Dybantsa's NBA debut.
Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick in the June draft, led the Wizards with 19 points. He started at shooting guard and played 26 minutes. Dybantsa was sidelined the first four games due to a sprained ankle.
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Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a referee's call during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Washington Wizards' AJ Dybantsa (4) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) looks to pass between Washington Wizards' Kyshawn George (18) and Trae Young (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards' Anthony Davis (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) dunks against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
He scored nine points in the first quarter. According to Sportradar, that was the most first quarter points by a Wizards rookie making their debut since at least 1996-97.
Donovan Mitchell added 19 points for the Cavaliers, who have won three straight after squandering a 29-point lead and dropping their opener at Philadelphia.
Washington’s Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr scored 18 apiece and Bilal Coulibaly added 17 points as he made his first eight shots. Kyshawn George had 11 assists.
Mobley made a career-high five 3-pointers and had 10 points in the fourth quarter. Watson, who was acquired from Denver during the offseason, also had six rebounds in 28 minutes.
Cleveland trailed 105-104 before scoring nine straight points to take control for its third straight win. It also is the Cavaliers 17th straight win over the Wizards, the longest active streak in the league.
Dybantsa's alley-oop off a pass by George gave the Wizards a 76-63 lead early in the third quarter before Cleveland started its comeback. The Cavaliers got within seven before going on a 14-6 run. Mobley's layup with 11:19 remaining in the fourth quarter put the Cavs up 94-92 and was their first lead since late in the first quarter.
Wizards: Host Charlotte on Friday night.
Cavaliers: At Atlanta on Thursday night.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a referee's call during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Washington Wizards' AJ Dybantsa (4) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) looks to pass between Washington Wizards' Kyshawn George (18) and Trae Young (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards' Anthony Davis (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) dunks against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen started for Tampa Bay on three days' rest in Game 5 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, leaving with a 1-0 deficit after pitching four innings.
A 31-year-old right-hander, Rasmussen retired his first four batters before Brice Turang doubled to left-center on a flat cutter. Sal Frelick was hit by a pitch and rookie Cooper Pratt drove a low cutter over leaping second baseman Ben Williamson and into center field for an RBI single.
Those were the only hits allowed by Rasmussen, who struck out four and walked none in a 48-pitch outing. Kevin Kelly relieved to start the fifth and allowed another run, leaving the Rays down 2-0.
Rasmussen threw 89 pitches over 3 2/3 innings in Game 2 on Saturday, getting a no-decision as Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory and a 2-0 Series lead.
“Called Ras right after he’d left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday afternoon. “He held out from throwing a bullpen yesterday with this possibly in the back of his mind that he’s going to go out and prepare. I think Ras, knowing him, he’s pretty motivated to get back out there and give us what he can. He wasn’t satisfied with how maybe Game 2 went.”
Rasmussen has had three major elbow operations in his career, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. The two-time All-Star was 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA in the regular season, including 9-3 in 15 starts at home.
Rasmussen served as an opener for the Rays in 2024 and made short starts on two days' rest after relief appearances.
Jacob Misiorowski started on four days' rest for the Brewers, who had a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after wasting a 12th-inning lead in a 4-3 loss Tuesday.
Tampa Bay used seven pitchers Tuesday: starter Griffin Jax along with relievers Kevin Kelly, Game 1 starter Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser and Ian Seymour.
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was in the lineup, batting third, after leaving Tuesday night's game for a pinch runner in the 12th inning.
Caminero limped, favoring his left foot, after he reached leading off the 12th on an error. He went from first to third on Liam Hicks' single, then was replaced.
“He’s been dealing with some lower-extremity injuries, but there’s a lot of guys that are nicked up right now playing through a lot,” Cash said. "Know that Cammy will be ready to go today."
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen walks to the bullpen before Game 5 of baseball's World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball's World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball's World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt connects for an RBI single off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen during the second inning of Game 5 of baseball's World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen celebrates during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball's World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero takes batting practice prior to Game 4 of baseball's World Series, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla., between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws during first inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Milwaukee, between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
