Anthony Davis waited nine months to get back into a regular-season game. On Wednesday night, his first one in a Wizards uniform came with 34 points, 12 rebounds and a 128-116 opening-night win over Milwaukee at Washington.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks | 23 | 116 | |||
| Wizards | 38 | 128 |
| Wizards leaders | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Davis | 34 | 12 | 4 |
| Trae Young | 20 | 13 | |
| Kyshawn George | 18 | ||
| Bilal Coulibaly | 11 | ||
| Deandre Ayton | 11 | ||
| Bub Carrington | 10 |
For the first time since Washington brought in both stars last season, Davis and Young shared the floor in a game that counted. The pairing gave the home building an early look at the shape of this roster: Davis finishing possessions inside and Young directing traffic, drawing extra defenders and finding the open outlet.
Washington had eight players score at least eight points, with six reaching double figures. That depth mattered most in the last 12 minutes, when the Wizards turned a close game into a 12-point result by winning the fourth quarter 38-23.
“I was really pleased because it really was a team win,” coach Brian Keefe said. “There were so many guys who stepped up in different moments and that’s what we’re going to need.”
Davis makes a loud first impression
Davis had not appeared in an NBA game since January, when he was with Dallas. Injuries kept him out after the Wizards acquired him, leaving Wednesday as his actual Washington debut.
He started fast, posting 10 points and six boards in his opening eight minutes. Then he took over the third period with 18 points. His 34-point night matched Antawn Jamison’s 2004 mark for the highest-scoring debut by a Wizard.
Davis added four assists, two steals and a block, and he went 11-for-14 at the line. The crowd broke into MVP chants twice as he completed and-one chances.
“It felt great,” Davis said. “It’s been nine months since I played a real game, so it felt really good to be out on the floor and compete again with these guys — even better when you can get the win. I had so much fun tonight and a lot of emotion and a lot of energy.”
Young sees a ceiling far beyond one strong debut. “I just knew he was going to be ready,” Young said. “For me, having a guy like that, I want to help him get to MVP. If he has nights like tonight and we keep winning, he’s going to be in that conversation.”
Young runs the fourth-quarter offense
Young’s shooting line was uneven: 4-for-13 overall and 0-for-6 from 3-point range. But he controlled the game where Washington needed him to, finishing with 13 assists against one turnover while making all 12 of his free throws.
The Wizards held a 32-19 edge in made foul shots. Young produced five points and six assists in the fourth, helping Washington repeatedly get into advantages as Milwaukee tried to crowd him above the arc.
Young was limited to 15 games last season, including five after his move from Atlanta to Washington. Wednesday carried some relief after that stop-start year.
“It has felt like forever playing a regular-season game,” Young said. “Five games in a season isn’t normal for me, especially just for one team.”
Davis said the Bucks’ willingness to send two defenders toward Young opened the floor for the frontcourt. “They were putting two on the ball with him and he was making the right passes,” Davis said, noting opportunities for Ayton, himself and Alex Sarr around the rim. “With a passer like Trae Young and his high IQ, he’s going to pick you apart.”
Dybantsa remains day-to-day
Washington opened without rookie AJ Dybantsa, who is dealing with a sprained left ankle suffered in the final preseason game against New Orleans. Dybantsa scored in double figures in all four preseason appearances.
Keefe listed the rookie as day-to-day, leaving open the possibility that he could make his NBA debut Friday when Toronto visits Washington. Davis said Dybantsa is eager to return, saying, “He wants to be out there so bad.”
Milwaukee starts over after Antetokounmpo
Tyler Herro scored 24 points to lead the Bucks, who opened their first season after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s departure. Milwaukee’s reshaped group includes 2026 lottery selections Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, plus Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis from the Miami trade package.
The Bucks also have veterans Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, Gary Trent Jr. and Caris LeVert as they work through a new identity. Burries finished his NBA debut with 12 points and five rebounds, while Ament did not play.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said the season will be judged by more than wins and losses while the club establishes its offensive and defensive habits.
“There’s a lot of things involved in what we’re going to measure,” Jenkins said. “We’re still defining that right now and trying to figure out our style of play.” He pointed to creating offensive advantages, protecting the paint and defending the 3-point line as early priorities, with the goal of having a clearer team identity by season’s end.
