Trae Young’s Washington debut as the full-time lead guard came with the kind of closing control the Wizards have been waiting to see. Young posted 20 points and 13 assists, Anthony Davis powered through a dominant third quarter, and Washington opened its season with a 128-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
It was the first meaningful chance for Young and Davis to share the floor since both arrived in Washington last winter. Injuries kept the pairing from taking shape a year ago, when Young appeared in only 15 games overall and played five times for the Wizards after his January trade from Atlanta.
Young had been an All-Star in 2024-25, averaging 24.2 points and a league-leading 11.6 assists, but his extended absence removed him from much of last season’s NBA conversation. The point guard said he understands how quickly a player can fade from view when he is not available.
“When somebody is out for an entire season, people can forget what he is capable of,” Young said. “I’m excited for the season to get going and for me to return to being myself.”
Young settles the fourth quarter
Washington’s new backcourt engine delivered the ball to seven different teammates and finished with one turnover. Young scored five points and handed out six assists in the fourth quarter, keeping the Bucks from building the sort of late momentum that can spoil an opener.
His work alongside Davis showed why the Wizards see a ceiling higher than the recent rebuilding years. Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including 18 points during the third period as Washington seized control.
“When the fourth quarter arrives, I know I have to be prepared to make sure my teammates get a good look every time down,” Young said.
Coach Brian Keefe pointed to more than Young’s 13 assists after the victory. “He makes the correct play and brings energy to the group,” Keefe said. “People know about his passing, but his competitiveness was also clear tonight.”
Davis said Young’s ability to read help defense gives Washington a foundation for its offense.
“If teams send two defenders at the ball against a passer with Trae’s IQ, he will pick them apart,” Davis said. “We have to put ourselves in the right spots, give him outlets, and then play from there.”
A new lead voice in Washington
Young and Davis both stressed that an 82-game schedule will test the Wizards far beyond one October result. Still, the opener carried weight for a franchise trying to move out of the lottery tier after winning 15, 18 and 17 games over the previous three seasons.
Washington has not reached the playoffs since 2021. Young, a four-time All-Star and former All-NBA selection, signed a four-year deal in the offseason and has embraced being the central figure in the club’s next phase. Before the opening tip against Milwaukee, he addressed the fans as part of the season introduction.
“You do not understand how good this place can be until you are around the building and these people,” Young said. “We have not won many games here in recent years, so that affects how people view it. I also did not play for a year, so people can have their opinions about me.”
Young said he wants to help turn that perception around, while keeping the first season’s goals realistic.
“I want to be part of this team becoming successful,” he said. “That does not mean promising a title in the first year. But we should be fighting for a playoff spot and showing the city what we are capable of.”
Veterans and lottery talent share the floor
The Wizards have assembled a roster that blends established postseason experience with a sizable young core. Davis and Khris Middleton each own an NBA championship ring. Deandre Ayton reached the 2021 NBA Finals, while Young guided Atlanta to the Eastern Conference finals that same year.
Washington’s younger group includes No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa from the 2026 draft, plus recent first-round selections Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly.
| Player | Draft position | Draft year |
|---|---|---|
| AJ Dybantsa | No. 1 | 2026 |
| Tre Johnson | No. 6 | 2025 |
| Will Riley | No. 21 | 2025 |
| Alex Sarr | No. 2 | 2024 |
| Bub Carrington | No. 14 | 2024 |
| Kyshawn George | No. 24 | 2024 |
| Bilal Coulibaly | No. 7 | 2023 |
For Young, the opening-night win was not a finish line. It was a first look at a roster finally healthy enough to show its shape.
“This feels like fresh air for me,” Young said. “I think the city feels it, too, because of all the players we have brought in. It is a new period for this team, and we have to make the most of it.”
