The Milwaukee Bucks secured a definitive victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, winning 112-101 at the Fiserv Forum. This success held special significance as the Bucks played without their star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, yet managed to display their depth and talent, most prominently through Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton.
Bobby Portis stepped up remarkably, scoring 34 points along with 10 rebounds and 8 assists, marking his best performance of the season. His efforts were particularly noted for their efficiency, shooting 14 of 21 from the field, including 6 of 9 from three-point range. "The Wizards got wrecked by Bobby Portis," Bleacher Report noted, reflecting on Portis's ability to dominate the game.
Khris Middleton, who returned recently from injury and was playing his first back-to-back game, added 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists over 24 minutes. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers praised Middleton’s performance, stating, "This was the most like Khris we’ve seen. And on the defensive end, I thought this was the best he moved." Middleton himself emphasized the importance of this game as he worked to regain his on-court rhythm, saying, "Going through the course of rehab, coming back and playing and the way I’ve been responding after games, I thought (Saturday) would be a great shot to see what a back-to-back felt like."
Despite showing what seemed like potential for upsetting the Bucks, the Wizards struggled significantly throughout the game. They faced double-digit deficits for the last 20 minutes, even trailing by as many as 26 points. Although they managed to cut the margin to 11 by the end of the game, their late surge was not enough to overcome Milwaukee's steady control.
One of the main challenges the Wizards faced was their inability to handle the ball effectively. They committed 19 turnovers, with Jordan Poole being the primary offender, giving up 7 of those. Poole's performance included some impressive points early on—he scored 23 points, shooting 8 of 13 from three—yet his turnovers seriously hindered the team's efforts. His offensive rating of 92 highlights his struggles during the match, particularly considering the Bucks are not known for their defensive prowess, having ranked 26th in forcing turnovers before this game.
The Wizards did have bright spots. Bilal Coulibaly impressed with 20 points on 13 shots, along with 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, showcasing his offensive potential and strong penetration skills. Corey Kispert, returning from injury, also made his presence felt, scoring 16 points and knocking down 3 of 5 three-point attempts. Meanwhile, Alex Sarr showed flashes of promise even with some inconsistent play, recording 3 assists and 2 steals.
Despite their efforts, efficiency remained elusive for Washington, something evident as they shot 42.9% from beyond the arc but still fell to the Bucks. This highlights the fundamental struggle the team experiences, especially when playing against teams with strategic offensive gameplay.
The matchup's resulting stats were telling: the Bucks had higher overall production and teamwork, evident from their shooting stats compared to the Wizards'. While the Bucks may have been short two of their stars, the collective effort from players like Portis and Middleton strongly contributed to their win, delivering evidence of their deep talent pool.
Another notable factor was Middleton's recovery—the veteran guard has faced considerable challenges returning after his injury, and this game served as proof of his progress. Rivers shared concerns at halftime about managing Middleton’s minutes due to the "minutes crisis" the coach felt, yet acknowledged the importance of keeping Middleton involved and adjusting to maximize his performance. A confident Middleton is pivotal for the Bucks as they look to re-establish themselves among the league's elite, especially when key injuries pose challenges.
With this victory against the Wizards, the Bucks have not only displayed resilience but have also positioned themselves well for future matches, emphasizing the need to capitalize on every available player as they navigate the season's challenges. The early signs point toward the Bucks remaining competitive, especially if Middleton can continue to build his form returning from injury.
Looking forward, the Bucks must continue to find ways to sustain their winning performance, and the path lies clear: they need their stars healthy and on the court. With Portis’s confidence soaring and Middleton gaining momentum, Milwaukee could be ready to make significant strides this season.
