The Wizards beat the Bucks 128–116 in their season opener on October 22, China Standard Time (UTC+8). Anthony Davis had 34 points, twelve rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, while Trae Young contributed twenty points and thirteen assists. Washington entered the fourth quarter three behind, then outscored Milwaukee 38–23 to turn a close game into a twelve-point win.
Three quarters of pursuit before the fourth-quarter turnaround
The official NBA box score showed Washington leading 25–23 after one, then losing the second 33–26 for a 56–51 halftime deficit. Both teams scored heavily in the third: Washington's 39 to Milwaukee's 37 reduced the gap to 93–90. The separation came through fifteen net points over the final twelve minutes.
NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt noted Young's five points and six assists in the fourth. His thirteen assists came with one turnover, showing continued distribution despite difficult shooting: four of thirteen overall, none of six from three, and twelve of his twenty points at the free-throw line.
Davis made eleven of fourteen free throws. His 34 points matched Antawn Jamison's 2004 record for a Wizards debut. The record is specifically for a player's first Washington appearance, providing a clear historical reference for the new partnership.
Nine fewer threes, but other scoring supports the offense
Washington made six of 28 threes to Milwaukee's fifteen of 41, a nine-basket difference from outside. Yet its overall field-goal percentage was 52.3%, ahead of Milwaukee's 45.1%. Davis explained afterward that when two defenders went to Young, he could receive the ball and look to score or pass. That is a participant's account of the approach in this game.
Other players also contributed. The NBA report recorded eight Wizards scoring at least eight points, including six in double figures. Davis and Young combined for 54, with the rest scoring 74: the offense extended beyond the two new focal points.
| Team | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wizards | 25 | 26 | 39 | 38 | 128 |
| Bucks | 23 | 33 | 37 | 23 | 116 |
INKA SPORTS analysis: Two-pointers and free throws cover the outside deficit
Breaking down the official scoring explains how Washington won despite poor three-point shooting. Of its 45 field goals, six were threes, leaving 39 two-pointers worth 78 points. Milwaukee's 41 field goals minus fifteen threes left 26 two-pointers worth 52. Washington's 26-point advantage on twos almost canceled its 27-point deficit on threes.
Free throws added a thirteen-point difference, 32 to nineteen. Together, 26 minus 27 plus thirteen equals the final twelve-point margin. The breakdown shows where the points came from. Combined with Davis' explanation of receiving against double-teams and Young's assist-turnover figures, the more useful performance was sustaining offense through alternative scoring and distribution when outside shots failed.
Conclusion
The fourth quarter turned the opener, while the new partnership's first showing had several sides: Davis supplied scoring and an outlet, Young kept organizing despite poor shooting, and teammates completed a substantial share of the finishes. Washington found a route to win without outside accuracy, supported here by two-pointers, free throws and fourth-quarter execution. More games are needed to assess its consistency.
