The Washington Wizards came into this one with a clear defensive mission: protect the paint at all costs and throw Bilal Coulibaly - plus plenty of help - at Giannis Antetokounmpo. It wasn’t perfect, but it was effective enough to pull off a gritty 129-126 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, marking just their third victory of the season.
And for a while, it looked like the same old story. Milwaukee opened up a 10-point lead in the first quarter and kept the Wizards at arm’s length throughout the first half. When the Bucks stretched that lead to 16 midway through the third, it felt like the game was teetering on the edge of a blowout - the kind of moment where Washington typically loses its grip and the deficit snowballs.
But not this time.
Instead, the Wizards dug in. They trimmed the lead to just three by the end of the third quarter and kept their foot on the gas in the fourth. It was the kind of fightback that’s been rare this season - and it came with a few unlikely heroes.
Owning the Paint
Let’s start with the defensive blueprint. Washington’s plan to wall off the interior worked better than expected.
They outscored the Bucks 60-34 in the paint - a stat that jumps off the page when you remember Antetokounmpo was on the other side. Giannis often is the paint offense for Milwaukee, but on this night, the Wizards turned the tables.
Of course, there was a tradeoff. The Bucks got a ton of clean looks from deep and made the most of them, connecting on a blistering 55.3% from three.
Milwaukee’s overall effective field goal percentage (eFG%) was a scorching 67.3%, well above Washington’s 58.3%. But the Wizards made up ground in other areas - namely, on the offensive glass and in the turnover battle.
Bagley and Champagnie Crash the Party
With Alex Sarr out, Marvin Bagley III stepped into the starting center role and made his presence felt. He and Justin Champagnie combined for 13 of Washington’s 15 offensive rebounds, keeping possessions alive and creating second-chance points that proved crucial. Bagley’s energy around the rim was a game-changer, and Champagnie added a spark off the bench that the Bucks struggled to contain.
Veteran Leadership and Bench Firepower
CJ McCollum led the way offensively with 28 ultra-efficient points, showing once again why he’s such a steadying force. He picked his spots, controlled the pace, and delivered in the clutch - including a stepback three late in the fourth that was pure cold-blooded execution.
Cam Whitmore gave the second unit a serious boost, pouring in 17 points in just 19 minutes. He attacked with confidence and gave Washington the kind of scoring punch off the bench they’ve been missing. Tristan Vukcevic also chipped in with 16 points on just seven field goal attempts - a model of efficiency.
Coulibaly’s Defensive Statement
Coulibaly didn’t light up the box score offensively, but his defensive work on Giannis was eye-opening. He was relentless, using his length and instincts to make life difficult for the two-time MVP. Giannis still finished with 26 points on 17 shots, but he also turned it over five times and fouled out - including two offensive fouls and a sixth that came on a fast-break dunk attempt by Coulibaly that sealed the game.
That final sequence was emblematic of the night: McCollum hits a dagger three, Coulibaly jumps a passing lane for a pick-six dunk, and Giannis fouls out trying to stop it. Not bad for a team that’s struggled to close games all season.
Bucks Run Out of Gas Without Porter
Milwaukee had their own bright spots, particularly Kevin Porter Jr., who was on fire before leaving with a back injury. He had 30 points on 15 shots, plus five assists and three steals before exiting. Once he went down, the Bucks’ offense lost its rhythm, and Washington took full advantage.
Four Factors Breakdown
Looking at the core metrics that tend to decide games - shooting, rebounding, turnovers, and free throws - the Wizards made up for their shooting deficit with hustle and ball control.
- Shooting (eFG%): Milwaukee had the edge here, 67.3% to 58.3%.
- Offensive Rebounding (OREB%): Washington dominated, grabbing 34.9% of their misses compared to Milwaukee’s 20.6%.
- Turnover Rate (TOV%): The Wizards were sharp, turning it over on just 9.9% of possessions, while the Bucks coughed it up 15.8% of the time.
- Free Throws (FTM/FGA): Neither team got to the line much, but Milwaukee had a slight edge here.
Bottom line: Washington didn’t win this one by shooting the lights out. They won it by outworking Milwaukee on the glass, taking care of the basketball, and making just enough big plays down the stretch.
Standout Performances
Here’s a look at a few of the most impactful Wizards on the night, based on advanced metrics:
- Marvin Bagley III: A monster game on both ends. His offensive rating (ORTG) of 160 on 62 possessions, combined with a team-high +6.1 “plus points,” shows just how efficient and valuable he was.
- Justin Champagnie: In just 19 minutes, he posted a 163 ORTG and a game-best PPA (overall production) of 255. That’s elite territory, especially for a bench player.
- Tristan Vukcevic: Quietly efficient with a 172 ORTG and 5.0 plus points on only 42 possessions.
- CJ McCollum: The steady hand, with a 142 ORTG and 4.6 plus points.
He was exactly what you want from your veteran closer.
On the flip side, Coulibaly’s offensive numbers weren’t great - his 64 ORTG and -5.4 plus points reflect that - but his defensive impact, especially on Giannis, doesn’t fully show up in the stat sheet.
Final Word
This was a gutsy, well-earned win for a young Wizards squad that’s still learning how to close games. They didn’t dominate every phase, but they found enough edges - in effort, execution, and timely plays - to knock off a more talented Bucks team. And while this might not be a turning point in the season, it’s a glimpse of what this group can be when the pieces click.
For now, it’s a reminder: even in a tough year, the Wizards still have some fight in them.