Middleton Gets His Moment as Wizards Edge Bucks in Thrilling Finish
Khris Middleton didn’t just face his old team Monday night-he beat them. For the first time since being traded last season, Middleton got a win over the Milwaukee Bucks, and it came in dramatic fashion. The Washington Wizards pulled off an upset over the visiting Bucks in a game that had momentum swings, standout performances, and a clutch finish that reminded fans why late-season NBA basketball always delivers.
Let’s break it down.
First Quarter: Bucks Come Out Strong
The opening quarter was a back-and-forth affair early, with both teams trading buckets but struggling to build any real separation. That changed late in the quarter when AJ Green knocked down a three to ignite an 8-2 Bucks run.
That spurt gave Milwaukee a seven-point cushion and forced Wizards head coach Brian Keefe to burn a timeout. The Bucks weren’t done-they pushed the lead to double digits before the quarter ended, taking a 34-28 advantage into the second.
Second Quarter: Wizards Hang Around
Washington responded with some energy to start the second quarter, capitalizing on a few Milwaukee turnovers to claw their way back. A lob from Justin Champagnie to Cam Whitmore brought the crowd to life and prompted a timeout from Bucks head coach Doc Rivers.
Offensive rhythm was hard to come by for both teams during the middle stretch of the quarter. Through the first six minutes, they combined for just 27 points-quite the contrast from the 62 they put up in the first.
But C.J. McCollum heated up, scoring seven straight for the Wizards to keep pace.
Middleton, meanwhile, found Marvin Bagley for a smooth layup, helping Milwaukee close the half strong. A late 9-2 Bucks run, capped by a Kevin Porter Jr. step-back three, gave Milwaukee a solid 66-58 lead heading into the break.
Third Quarter: KPJ Catches Fire, Wizards Respond
Kevin Porter Jr. came out of halftime locked in. After dropping 17 in the first half, he opened the third with back-to-back threes, pushing the Bucks’ lead to 16-its largest of the night. But just when it looked like Milwaukee might pull away, the Wizards flipped the script.
Washington ripped off a 20-5 run, fueled by aggressive drives, second-chance points, and a renewed defensive intensity. Cam Whitmore’s dunk with under a minute to go tied the game, and the Wizards had all the momentum.
Milwaukee answered with a quick five-point burst-Gary Trent Jr. hit a big three, and Jericho Sims followed with a tip-in. But Bub Carrington sliced through the defense for a layup to bring the Wizards back within three, 94-91, heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: Middleton Closes the Door
The final frame was as tight as it gets. Porter hit his fifth three of the game to reach the 30-point mark, but moments later, he grabbed at his back and was subbed out with 6:37 remaining. That turned out to be a pivotal moment.
With KPJ sidelined, Washington seized the opportunity. McCollum hit a pull-up jumper to give the Wizards a one-point lead with just over five minutes to go. From there, it was a seesaw battle-neither team able to create much breathing room.
Then, Khris Middleton stepped up.
With the game hanging in the balance, Middleton hit a vintage floater through contact to give Washington the lead. He missed the free throw, but after a Giannis Antetokounmpo miss on the other end, Middleton drilled a clutch three with 53 seconds left to push the Wizards in front by two.
Giannis had a chance to tie it at the line but split his free throws. McCollum responded with ice in his veins, burying a three with 14 seconds to go to make it a four-point game.
Milwaukee turned the ball over on the next possession, and Bilal Coulibaly punctuated the night with an and-one dunk that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. AJ Green hit a three at the buzzer, but it was too little, too late.
Final Thoughts
This one had everything-momentum swings, clutch plays, and a little bit of revenge. Kevin Porter Jr. was electric before his injury, finishing with 30 points. Giannis added 26, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a gritty Wizards squad that refused to fold.
C.J. McCollum led the way for Washington with 28, but the night belonged to Khris Middleton. His fourth-quarter heroics-eight points in crunch time-sealed the win against the team he once helped lead to a title.
For Middleton, this wasn’t just another game. It was a reminder that he can still take over when it matters most. And for the Wizards, it was a statement win-proof that on any given night, they can hang with the league’s best.