Washington handed Milwaukee its fourth straight loss Thursday night at Capital One Arena, winning 109-99 behind Kyshawn George’s 23 points. The Bucks played without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for a second consecutive game, falling to 18-28 and slipping further from playoff contention.
The numbers explain how Washington pulled off the win: a 61-43 rebounding advantage and a 28-9 edge in free throw attempts. Milwaukee shot better from the field but couldn’t overcome those disparities.
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George, Sarr Power Wizards
Kyshawn George hit 10 of 24 shots and added five rebounds and five assists. The 21-year-old forward, drafted one spot after Milwaukee’s AJ Johnson last year, has scored 20-plus points in three of his last five games.
Alex Sarr dominated the glass with 17 rebounds, seven on the offensive end. The rookie center finished with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting and provided the interior presence Washington needed to control the paint.
Khris Middleton and Bub Carrington each scored 13 points. Middleton, traded from Milwaukee to Washington last February, dished six assists against his former team.
Turner Leads Bucks Effort
Myles Turner posted 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in the loss. The veteran center, who signed with Milwaukee last summer after 10 seasons in Indiana, carried the scoring load without Antetokounmpo available.
Bobby Portis and Kyle Porter each added 19 points off the bench. Ryan Rollins distributed eight assists before leaving in the fourth quarter with a leg injury, adding to Milwaukee’s growing injury concerns.
Leading Scorers
| Player | Team | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyshawn George | WSH | 36 | 23 | 5 | 5 | 10-24 | 2-8 | 1-1 |
| Myles Turner | MIL | 35 | 21 | 14 | 0 | 8-16 | 2-6 | 3-3 |
| Bobby Portis | MIL | 33 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 8-17 | 2-5 | 1-2 |
| Kyle Porter | MIL | 26 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 7-13 | 3-5 | 2-3 |
| Alex Sarr | WSH | 32 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 6-13 | 1-3 | 3-4 |
| Khris Middleton | WSH | 26 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 4-9 | 1-4 | 4-4 |
| Bub Carrington | WSH | 29 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 4-9 | 2-5 | 3-3 |
How Washington Controlled the Game
The Wizards built their lead early, taking a 57-43 advantage into halftime. Washington held Milwaukee to 34.6% shooting and 21.7% from three-point range in the first half, their best defensive performance of the season before intermission.
Milwaukee fought back in the fourth quarter. Turner’s three-pointer cut Washington’s lead to 101-99 with 90 seconds remaining, but the Wizards answered. Sarr scored on a runner, then Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly combined for four free throws down the stretch. Milwaukee went scoreless on its final four possessions.
| Quarter | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 23 | 20 | 29 | 27 | 99 |
| Washington | 25 | 32 | 25 | 27 | 109 |
The second quarter decided the outcome. Washington outscored Milwaukee 32-20, building an 18-point lead at one point. The Wizards scored 14 points in transition during that stretch while the Bucks struggled to generate consistent offense.
Box Score Breakdown
The team statistics show where Milwaukee lost this game. Washington grabbed 18 offensive rebounds compared to Milwaukee’s seven, creating extra possessions that proved critical down the stretch.
Complete Team Stats
| Category | Milwaukee | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 41-98 (41.8%) | 38-96 (39.6%) |
| Three-Pointers | 10-38 (26.3%) | 8-35 (22.9%) |
| Free Throws | 7-9 (77.8%) | 25-28 (89.3%) |
| Rebounds | 43 | 61 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 7 | 18 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 36 | 43 |
| Assists | 25 | 21 |
| Steals | 7 | 8 |
| Blocks | 9 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 13 |
| Points in Paint | 52 | 50 |
| Fast Break Points | 13 | 6 |
Milwaukee actually outscored Washington in the paint and on fast breaks, but the free throw disparity told the story. The Bucks attempted just nine free throws compared to Washington’s 28, a reflection of their inability to attack the basket without their primary creator.
Antetokounmpo’s Absence Looms Large
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game with a calf strain. The injury comes at a difficult time for Milwaukee, with trade rumors circulating as the February 6 deadline approaches.
Without Antetokounmpo, who averages 28 points and 10 rebounds this season, the Bucks lack a player capable of breaking down defenses and creating easy looks. Turner did his best to fill the void, but Milwaukee’s offense stagnated in crucial moments.
Washington also dealt with an injury during the game. Rookie guard Tre Johnson rolled his left ankle on a jumper with 11:10 left in the second quarter and didn’t return. His status for Friday’s game against the Lakers remains unclear.
Standings Implications
The loss dropped Milwaukee to 18-28, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks trail the 10th-place team by four games with 36 games remaining. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games.
Washington improved to 12-34 with its second consecutive victory. The Wizards remain 14th in the East but have won three of their last five games after dropping 12 straight earlier this month.
Milwaukee visits Boston on Sunday for a difficult road matchup against the defending champions. Washington hosts the Lakers on Friday night, looking to extend their winning streak to three games.
The Bucks need Antetokounmpo back soon. Without him, nights like Thursday become common, and their slim playoff hopes continue fading.
