Myles Turner made his Milwaukee Bucks debut on Wednesday, contributing 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in a 133-120 season-opening victory over the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks never trailed despite losing Kevin Porter Jr. to a first-quarter ankle injury.
After the game, Turner praised the team’s depth, saying, “I think that it can be anybody’s night. We have a lot of depth, and that’s going to be one of our superpowers this year. It’s going to be very important.”
Turner highlighted the benefits of playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, describing him as “incredible” and noting that the superstar’s presence creates opportunities for teammates. “He’s tough to deal with down there. He’s definitely got gravity, and he makes the right play damn near every time,” Turner said.
The Bucks shot 51% overall and converted 18 of 44 three-point attempts, reflecting coach Doc Rivers’ emphasis on spacing and perimeter shooting. Turner admitted there were moments he could have shot more efficiently but was focused on facilitating teammates. “I was doing my best just to get guys involved,” he said.
Turner also praised the contributions of key role players, particularly Kyle Kuzma, who provided energy and playmaking off the bench. “He actually really has great basketball IQ. He makes some great plays and is a very underrated passer,” Turner said.
On the team’s shooting strategy, Turner emphasized staying aggressive despite occasional cold stretches. “You just have to continue to be aggressive. Not every night is going to be your night, but that’s the beauty in having so much depth,” he said.
The Bucks overcame a 12-0 run by Washington early in the third quarter and relied on Giannis’ 10 straight points during a 12-2 fourth-quarter surge to secure the win. Gary Trent Jr. added 17 points, and Khris Middleton contributed 23 in his first appearance in Milwaukee since last season’s trade.
Reflecting on his debut, Turner called the atmosphere “off the charts” and praised the city’s enthusiasm for basketball. “The first quarter was amazing. The energy was there, and now it’s about putting together 48 full minutes,” he said.
Milwaukee will face the Toronto Raptors on Friday, while the Wizards travel to Dallas to continue their early-season schedule.
