The revamped Milwaukee Bucks got the start that they wanted.
The Bucks opened the 2025-26 season with their fast-paced, shoot-it-up style and pulled away for a 133-120 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Fiserv Forum.
The one thing that isn’t new is the dominance of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who put up 37 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
“This team is incredible,” Antetokounmpo said. “I said it a couple days ago. Very, very, very dangerous team.
“A lot of guys that can, like, play-make. A lot of guys that can, like, put the ball on the floor and get a bucket or make something happen. Everybody can shoot the ball, which is incredible.”
Antetokounmpo got the best of his beloved former Bucks teammate Khris Middleton, who was back in Fiserv Forum for the first time since getting traded last season.
Middleton had 23 points to lead Washington.
AJ Green, Gary Trent lead three-pointer barrage
The Bucks weren’t kidding around about getting up three-point attempts.
The Bucks shot 8 for 13 (61.5%) from long range to take a 40-23 lead after the first quarter.
AJ Green made all three of his attempts in the quarter before picking up his second foul. Antetokounmpo also had two fouls in the first quarter.
Kevin Porter Jr. sank 2 three-pointers before exiting with an injury to his left ankle. He didn’t return to the game.
The Bucks cooled down after that hot start and finished 18 for 44 (40.9%) from beyond the arc.
“We’re a great three-point shooting team and we didn’t shoot the three great tonight,” Rivers said. “Which is a great sign.
“You give me the same shots every night, we’re going to make three or four more. Probably five more. And the game’s a bigger margin.”
Gary Trent Jr. led the way at 5 for 11 on threes. He hit several attempts from the left corner in the second half.
“Our goal is just keep swing-swing and find open guys,” Trent said. “Found them tonight. Obviously my guys were finding me today, and everybody else as well, too. So continue to try to help each other and just eat off each other.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo closes it out in fourth quarter
The Bucks led by as many as 22 points in the first half, but they went scoreless for almost four minutes to start the third quarter.
The Wizards got within seven points several times before the Bucks pushed the lead to 101-90 to start the fourth quarter.
The Wizards kept hanging around until Antetokounmpo finally had enough. The superstar scored five straight baskets for the Bucks, including his only three-pointer that gave Milwaukee a 121-103 lead with 5:16 left.
“Guys were playing great basketball,” Antetokounmpo said. “I feel like in the third quarter, we kind of stopped. We were getting, like, one-pass shot. Or a no-pass shot. It was, like, nobody was moving.”
Antetokounmpo had 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“His timing on when to be aggressive and when to be a playmaker was sensational,” Rivers said.
Myles Turner shows versatility in Bucks debut
Antetokounmpo picked up his third foul on a charge – drawn by ex-teammate Middleton – with just over three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Antetokounmpo played 11 minutes in the first half, scoring 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
Bucks newcomer Myles Turner had seven points in the opening 24 minutes, but he showed off his ability to protect the rim by recording three blocks as the Bucks took a 72-53 lead into the locker room.
Turner finished with 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.
“I enjoy our style of play, man,” Turner said. “I think that it can be anybody’s night. We’ve got a lot of depth, and that’s going to be one of our superpowers this year. It’s going to be very important.
“Me personally, obviously could have shot the ball better. But I think defensively I was flying around. I was doing my best just to get guys involved.”
Turner had an early highlight, pump-faking at the three-point line and then exploding to the rim on one dribble for a massive dunk.
That even impressed Antetokounmpo.
“He’s athletic,” Antetokounmpo said. “Two-footed jumper. Most importantly, he can shoot the three.
“When I played against him, I jumped many times on that pump-fake. Because he’s capable of making that shot, right? He’s going to pick and choose. Sometimes he’s going to shoot the three. Sometimes he’s going to pump-fake and get in the paint and make the right pass.
“Sometimes he’s going to dunk on somebody’s head. That’s what he did tonight.”
Middleton gets heart-warming introduction
As expected, Middleton got a loud ovation from the Fiserv Forum fans while being introduced before his first game back in the arena since being traded last year.
Middleton then got a tribute video during the first timeout. He acknowledged the crowd when heading back on the court.
Five numbers
12.44 Seconds it took Antetokounmpo to attempt his second free throw of the game. He was called for a 10-second violation
1 Charge drawn by the Wizards’ Khris Middleton against ex-teammate Antetokounmpo
3 Blocks in the first half by Bucks newcomer Myles Turner
3:50 Scoring drought to start the second half for the Bucks
7 Players scoring in double figures for the Bucks
Is Giannis playing tonight?
Yes. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late addition to the injury report on Oct. 22 and is listed as probable with lower back soreness. In his pregame news conference, Rivers said a final decision about Antetokounmpo’s status hadn’t been determined, but after Antetokounmpo went through his pregame warmup the team said he is available.
Is Khris Middleton playing in his return to Milwaukee?
Yes. It is sure to be an emotional night when the Wizards’ Khris Middleton returns to Fiserv Forum for the first time since the Bucks traded him last season. Middleton did play against Milwaukee in Washington last season.
Bucks startersGuards: Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr. AJ GreenForward: Giannis AntetokounmpoCenter: Myles Turner
Here’s the team’s roster to start the 2025-26 season:
● Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (lower back soreness)
What channel is the Bucks game on?
TV: FanDuel Sports Wisconsin
Stream: You can stream the game on the FanDuel Sports Wisconsin app through your television or streaming carrier. Fubo also has a free trial for new subscribers.
Announcers: Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Marques Johnson (analysis) and Melanie Ricks (sideline reporter) will call the game on FanDuel Sports Wisconsin.
Bucks vs Wizards odds, over/under
The Bucks are 10.5-point favorites over the Wizards, and the over/under is set at 227.5 points per BetMGM.