The final score read 122-112 for the Utah Jazz, but in Washington all eyes were on one name: Trae Young. After more than two months away from the court and just months after the trade that brought him to the capital, the point guard made his debut with the Washington Wizards in front of the Capital One Arena crowd, immediately showing why he remains one of the most spectacular talents in the NBA.

Despite being limited to 19 minutes and dealing with the rust from his last game played on December 27, Young still produced a few highlights that energized the crowd.

A Superstar Moment at Capital One Arena

The signature play of the night came midway through the game. Receiving the ball beyond the arc, Young faked a shot to get the defender in the air, attacked the rim and pretended to throw a behind-the-back pass to the corner before switching hands at the last moment and finishing with a difficult scoop layup.

The Capital One Arena erupted.

At that moment the Wizards were trailing by 15 points, but the reaction from the crowd showed just how much excitement surrounds the team’s new point guard.

Modest Numbers but Encouraging Signs

On the stat sheet, Trae Young finished with 12 points and 6 assists, shooting 1-of-5 from three-point range. Not spectacular numbers, but understandable given his long absence.

After the game, Young himself admitted he isn’t yet at full strength.

I think I played decently. My shots were on line with the rim, but I didn’t quite have my legs under me yet

Trae Young

Even so, the 27-year-old quickly showed the traits that made him famous during his seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks: creative ball-handling, elite court vision and the ability to shoot from almost impossible distances.

In many ways, Washington hasn’t seen a point guard this creative since the early years of John Wall.

More Playmaker Than Scorer

In his debut, Young often chose to involve his teammates rather than look for his own shot.

In one particularly telling possession, after being freed by an Anthony Gill screen for a completely open three-pointer, he instead passed to Tre Johnson in the corner for an even easier look.

According to center Julian Reese, that’s one of the qualities that makes him special:

Trae is an incredibly unselfish passer. He’s a threat as a scorer, but at the same time he’s always looking for teammates. Not many point guards are like that

Julian Reese

Chemistry with his new teammates is still developing. Some pick-and-roll passes – one of Young’s trademarks – weren’t read correctly, and a behind-the-back assist attempt for Bilal Coulibaly ended up flying straight into the front row.

Young laughed when talking about the adjustment process:

I’m learning these guys and they’re learning me. There will be moments when they think “wow,” maybe when I’m completely open and the ball comes when they’re not expecting it

Trae Young

Wizards Building for the Long Term

Despite the Wizards’ seventh straight loss – now 16 wins and 46 defeats – Young is already looking beyond the immediate results.

The point guard reminded reporters that he came very close to the NBA Finals in the past and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.

I haven’t won a title or played in the Finals yet, but I was two games away. I know what it takes to get there. Here we’re working on daily habits and improving every day. That’s where long-term success comes from

Trae Young

His debut didn’t change the Wizards’ season.

But for one night, Washington saw the kind of talent capable of igniting an entire franchise.