RECAP · POSTGAME
Wizards Beat Bucks 128–116: AD Leads, Washington Finishes Strong
Anthony Davis led the way as Washington turned a fourth-quarter deficit into an opening-night win. The encouraging part: the Wizards did it with only six made threes.
Washington gave its fans an opening night worth talking about. The Wizards beat Milwaukee 128–116 at Capital One Arena on October 21, opening the regular season with a win that looked much better at the finish than it did at halftime.
THE FOURTH QUARTER CHANGED THE GAME
Milwaukee led 56–51 at the break and still held a 93–90 advantage entering the fourth. Washington then won the final period 38–23. The Wizards scored 77 second-half points, but the closing quarter was where they finally separated.
That distinction matters. A productive third quarter kept Washington within reach; the fourth turned the game. There is encouragement in a team staying connected long enough to finish a competitive opener.
AD SET THE STANDARD
Anthony Davis finished with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Trae Young supplied 20 points and 13 assists, while Kyshawn George added 18 points.
From the arena, Fred's strongest impressions were Davis's third-quarter impact and George's important fourth-quarter baskets. Those are firsthand observations, separate from the full-game totals. The combination is what makes the opener interesting: established creators carrying responsibility, with a younger wing contributing when the outcome was still being decided.
A WIN WITHOUT THE THREE-POINT SHOT
Washington made six of 28 threes, or 21.4 percent. Scoring this effectively through a cold perimeter night gives fans a useful question to take into the next game: can the offense keep finding answers when its first option does not work?
The answer cannot simply be that the misses will turn into makes. Shot quality, decisions and the way possessions develop still deserve attention. One result tells us the Wizards found enough offense against Milwaukee. It does not establish a season-long identity.
WHAT CARRIES FORWARD
Fred left encouraged by the stronger second half, while still wanting more organization when Trae rests and more consistent defensive execution. Those are sensible standards for a team with bigger ambitions than one enjoyable evening.
The next test is Toronto at home on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. ET. Washington has given fans a reason to look forward to it.
SOURCE DESK
Game totals and quarter scores were checked against Land of Basketball's October 21 box score: https://www.landofbasketball.com/box_scores/2026/1021MILWAS.htm
The NBA game page is linked as the official reference. Statistical figures were verified through the box score above; firsthand observations are attributed to Fred.
Next-game listing: https://washington.org/event/washington-wizards-vs-toronto-raptors