Signalberita.com – The Washington Wizards opened their new NBA season with an impressive 128-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Anthony Davis delivered a spectacular debut for Washington, recording 34 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to lead his team to victory.
Washington spent much of the game trailing Milwaukee, but Davis kept the Wizards within reach during the first three quarters before the home team produced a decisive surge in the final period.
After entering the fourth quarter three points behind, the Wizards scored 15 of the first 20 points to take control of the contest. The momentum grew when Justin Champagnie converted a basket while drawing a foul, giving Washington a seven-point advantage with just over eight minutes remaining.
The lead eventually stretched to 13 points as the Wizards secured their first win of the season in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Capital One Arena.
Anthony Davis Leads Washington’s Comeback
Davis was the driving force behind Washington’s victory, delivering a dominant performance in his first appearance for the team.
The 10-time NBA All-Star scored 10 points in the opening quarter before becoming quieter in the second. However, he raised his level significantly after halftime, scoring 18 of Washington’s 39 points in the third quarter alone.
One of the defining moments came late in the period when Davis appeared frustrated after not receiving a foul call on an attempted alley-oop. He quickly responded with a midrange jumper from the corner while drawing contact, cutting Milwaukee’s lead to just one point.
The play sparked a loud reaction from the home crowd. As a timeout was called, Davis gestured toward the floor and shouted in excitement. When he stepped up to take his free throw, fans responded with even louder chants of “MVP.”
“The crowd was great. They were into it. They got us over the hump,” Davis said. “We gotta be able to create the atmosphere for them.”
Davis continued to make an impact with another jumper from the elbow before grabbing an offensive rebound and converting an easy putback after Milwaukee answered with a three-pointer.
He finished with a team-high 12 rebounds and added four points in the fourth quarter, including a late dunk that extended Washington’s lead to 13. Davis celebrated by flexing his muscles and roaring toward the crowd.
Wizards Coach Praises Davis’s Presence
Washington coach Brian Keefe praised Davis for providing the team with a steady presence in the paint, particularly during a game in which the Wizards struggled to find their rhythm from the perimeter.
“He was able to establish himself deep in the paint,” Keefe said. “We needed that steady presence. We played him a little bit longer in his rotation and he just gave us that confidence leading into the fourth quarter.”
Washington struggled from three-point range, making just six of 28 attempts. The team’s half-court offense also lacked consistency through much of the game, making Davis’s scoring and rebounding particularly important.
Guard Trae Young, who finished with 20 points and 13 assists, expressed his belief that Davis could become a contender for the NBA Most Valuable Player award if Washington continues to win.
“I want to help him get the MVP,” Young said. “Nights like tonight, and we continue to win games, he’s going to be in the conversation.”
Young also showed improved control after a turnover-heavy preseason, committing just one turnover against Milwaukee.
“I know how to play under control,” Young said. “I just gotta go out there and do it like I did tonight.”
Washington Finds Early Success Inside
The Wizards began the game by attacking the paint, scoring their first 10 points inside while missing their first five three-point attempts.
Davis eventually ended that drought with a shot from the top of the key midway through the opening quarter, bringing Washington within one possession.
The veteran forward also demonstrated his playmaking ability by delivering an alley-oop pass from beyond the three-point line to a cutting Kyshawn George. Davis finished with four assists, while Young led the team with 13.
Washington ended the first quarter with a narrow 25-23 lead but struggled in the second period as Milwaukee gained an advantage on the boards.
The Bucks collected 15 rebounds in the quarter compared with Washington’s seven, helping them score 33 points and take control of the game.
Rebounding has been a recurring weakness for the Wizards in recent seasons. With Davis and young center Alex Sarr anchoring the frontcourt, Washington is hoping to become more competitive in that area.
The Wizards finished with three more rebounds than Milwaukee overall, overcoming their difficult second-quarter stretch to secure the win.
Young Players Help Seal the Victory
Washington also received important contributions from its younger players.
Kyshawn George scored 18 points, while he and Bilal Coulibaly combined for 29. Both players started after the Wizards were without No. 1 overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa, who was sidelined by an ankle injury.
Coulibaly contributed defensively with a team-high four steals. He also delivered a powerful dunk in the fourth quarter after collecting a rebound from a missed Davis shot, helping Washington maintain its late-game momentum.
George provided the finishing touch with a dunk in the final minute, triggering another loud celebration from the home crowd.
For Milwaukee, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro led the scoring during the first half and finished with a combined 46 points. Both were among the players acquired by the Bucks in an offseason trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Washington also benefited from veteran center Deandre Ayton, who added 11 points off the bench.
Keefe said the experience of established players such as Young, Davis and Ayton could help the younger members of the roster develop and adapt to the demands of the NBA.
“They’ve been in the wars. They’ve seen the battles,” Keefe said. “Our guys are ready for the jump to join in with them.”
The victory offers Washington an encouraging start to the season. Davis’s dominant debut, Young’s playmaking and the late contributions from the team’s younger players provided a glimpse of the Wizards’ potential as they look to build a more competitive squad.
