Milwaukee Bucks And Washington Wizards Battle Amid Injuries And Trade Rumors

The Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards squared off in a pivotal Eastern Conference clash on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. While neither team is currently setting the NBA world alight, this matchup carried extra intrigue thanks to swirling trade rumors, key injuries, and a cast of emerging young stars eager to make their mark. With tipoff at 7 p.m. ET, fans tuned in via Amazon Prime Video, ready to see which struggling squad might seize the moment.

Entering the contest, the Bucks found themselves in a precarious position. With an 18-27 record, Milwaukee sat 12th in the East and had dropped six of their last seven games. Their struggles were amplified by the absence of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a calf strain and, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, reportedly open to a trade as the February 5 deadline loomed. The Bucks’ future without the two-time MVP looked uncertain at best—especially considering their brutal 3-12 record in games Giannis had missed this season.

Milwaukee’s injury woes didn’t stop there. Key contributors Gary Harris (hamstring), Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique), and Taurean Prince (neck) were all ruled out for the night. Cole Anthony, initially questionable with illness, was cleared to play, offering a much-needed boost to the depleted roster. In Giannis’s absence, the offensive load shifted heavily onto the likes of Ryan Rollins, who was averaging 16.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game, and Myles Turner, whose rebounding and scoring had grown increasingly vital.

On the other side of the court, the Wizards didn’t exactly inspire confidence either. With an 11-34 record, Washington sat dead last in the conference and had only just snapped a nine-game losing streak with a win over the Trail Blazers two days prior. Despite a blockbuster trade to acquire star point guard Trae Young from Atlanta, the Wizards’ fortunes hadn’t improved; Young remained sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury, leaving the team without their new centerpiece.

Washington’s injury report was similarly lengthy. Marvin Bagley III (thoracic), Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and Trae Young (knee) were all unavailable. Alex Sarr, a key part of the Wizards’ young core, was questionable with illness but ultimately cleared to play. The Wizards’ roster, featuring ten players under the age of 23 at the season’s start, leaned heavily on youthful energy and the contributions of Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson—all of whom were averaging over 15 points per game since the Young trade.

Amidst these roster challenges, the Bucks entered as narrow 1.5- to 2.5-point road favorites at most sportsbooks, with the total set around 221.5 to 222.5 points. Moneyline odds hovered at Milwaukee -130 to -135 and Washington +110 to +114, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding both squads. Notably, the Wizards had already taken two of the three prior meetings between these teams this season, a surprising feat given their overall struggles.

One of the most intriguing storylines heading into the game was the performance of Myles Turner. With Giannis sidelined, Turner’s importance on the glass and as a scoring option had skyrocketed. He’d averaged 5.3 rebounds per game before the injury but saw his rebounding opportunities jump to 13.0 in the first game without Giannis. Turner was coming off a season-high 31-point performance against Philadelphia earlier in the week, where he attempted 16 shots—a clear sign of his expanded role. Turner had also snagged seven rebounds in his last meeting with the Wizards and eight in the season opener, making his over 6.5 rebounds prop a popular pick among bettors and analysts alike.

"Turner was averaging 5.3 rebounds on 11.9 rebounding chances but saw those opportunities jump to 13.0 in the first game without Giannis," according to Covers.com. With the Wizards ranking 29th in rebound rate and allowing opponents a league-high 56.9 boards per contest, Turner was well-positioned for a big night.

The Wizards, meanwhile, continued to search for an identity. Despite the addition of Trae Young, their offense remained one of the league’s least efficient, and their fast-paced style often resulted in more missed shots—further exposing their rebounding issues. Still, the development of young players like Sarr, George, and Johnson offered a glimmer of hope for the future. Khris Middleton, the 34-year-old former Bucks forward now with Washington, provided veteran leadership and was averaging 10.1 points per game.

Betting trends didn’t favor the Wizards, who were 10-32 straight up as home underdogs this season and just 18-24 against the spread in those games. Yet, with Milwaukee’s depleted roster and ongoing trade rumors swirling, the door was open for another Washington upset.

SportsLine’s advanced model, which simulated the game 10,000 times, predicted the total would go under 222.5 points in 55.2% of simulations. The Bucks had a strong under record on the road (16-8), and with both teams missing key scorers, a low-scoring affair seemed likely. "No team has seen their games hit the Over fewer times than the Bucks," noted SportsLine, highlighting the impact of Milwaukee’s offensive struggles without Giannis and Porter Jr.

As for the atmosphere, there was an undeniable air of uncertainty and anticipation. Could the Bucks rally around their remaining core and snap their losing streak, or would the Wizards’ young guns rise to the occasion once more? Would Myles Turner’s increased role be enough to compensate for the absence of Milwaukee’s stars? And what about the looming trade deadline—would this be one of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s last games as a Buck, even if from the sidelines?

For fans and analysts alike, the game represented more than just another entry in the long NBA regular season. It was a snapshot of two franchises at a crossroads—each searching for answers, stability, and perhaps a spark to ignite a turnaround. With the Bucks’ next games slated against tough opponents like Boston and Chicago, and the Wizards continuing to rebuild, every possession in this matchup carried added weight.

As the action unfolded in Washington, one thing was clear: both teams were fighting not just for a win, but for a sense of direction in a season full of questions. Whether the Bucks could overcome adversity or the Wizards could capitalize on their recent momentum remained to be seen. But for one night in the nation’s capital, the spotlight was firmly on two teams desperate to change their fortunes—and maybe, just maybe, start a new chapter.