Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks with 37 points and 14 rebounds as the team defeated the Washington Wizards 133-120 in Wednesday’s season opener at Fiserv Forum. Despite losing Kevin Porter Jr. to a sprained ankle late in the first quarter, Milwaukee never trailed.
After the game, Antetokounmpo discussed the team’s early success and depth, saying, “In the first quarter and the second quarter we were playing just incredible basketball man. The ball was moving, guys were throwing the ball ahead, they were attacking the paint. Every other possession we were getting a wide open three or something in the paint.”
The Bucks shot 51% overall and connected on 18 of 44 three-point attempts, reflecting coach Doc Rivers’ emphasis on perimeter shooting. Khris Middleton, making his first appearance in Milwaukee since being traded last season, scored 23 points and received multiple standing ovations during pregame introductions and a first-quarter video tribute.
Antetokounmpo also highlighted the unselfish nature of the roster, saying, “Everybody can shoot the ball, which is incredible. Every little gap that you try to cheat, the ball is being swung. The guy that has the ball is a threat. From AJ, from Ryan, from Myles, from Cole, from Gary Trent, from Bobby, from Kuz, from TP, everybody can shoot the ball.”
Milwaukee overcame a 12-0 run from Washington to start the third quarter and relied on Antetokounmpo’s 10 straight points during a 12-2 fourth-quarter stretch to secure the win. Gary Trent Jr. added 17 points, and Myles Turner contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in his Bucks debut.
Reflecting on the team’s rotation, Giannis noted, “It usually takes time to build up that trust, but tonight we had seven players in double digits. It doesn’t have to be an All-Star every night. Five guys giving 12-15 points each is enough to win games.”
The Bucks’ ball movement and spacing stood out, with Antetokounmpo emphasizing the importance of sharing scoring responsibility. “If you’re wide open and nobody’s around you, shoot the ball. If you miss, shoot it again,” he said, noting that trust in his teammates is central to Milwaukee’s unselfish style.
Milwaukee will visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday, while the Wizards travel to Dallas to continue their early-season schedule.
