The Bucks look to close out 2025 on a high note as they host Washington tonight at Fiserv Forum.
The Milwaukee Bucks (14-19) have started to turn things around lately, and a big reason for that is the return of their superstar.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made his way back to the court on December 27 after missing eight games with a right calf strain, and his presence has already sparked a three-game winning streak that the team hopes to extend against the Washington Wizards (7-24) tonight.
The Injury Report
The Bucks enter Wednesday's matchup in much better shape than they have been for most of December.
The only player listed on Milwaukee's injury report is Taurean Prince, who remains out as he continues to recover from neck surgery.
This is a big change from just a week ago when Antetokounmpo was still sidelined and the team was struggling to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference standings.
Washington, on the other hand, is dealing with a few more issues.
Kyshawn George is out with a left hip flexor strain, Corey Kispert remains sidelined with a left hamstring injury, and Cam Whitmore is unavailable due to right shoulder deep vein thrombosis.
Malaki Branham is also listed as questionable with right calf soreness, which could leave the Wizards even more shorthanded for tonight's contest.
Giannis Returns in a Big Way
Since coming back from his calf injury, Antetokounmpo has looked like his usual dominant self and wasted no time making an impact for the Bucks.
In his first game back against the Chicago Bulls, he dropped 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds while shooting 10-of-15 from the field, and he followed that up with 24 points and seven assists in a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.
The two-time MVP is averaging 28.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists on the season, and he has made it clear that the Bucks are fighting for their playoff lives right now.
After his return against Chicago, Antetokounmpo made headlines for throwing down a windmill dunk in the final seconds of the game, sending a message that Milwaukee is not going to back down from anyone as they try to climb the standings.
Keeping the Momentum Going
With Antetokounmpo back in the lineup, the Bucks have won three straight games after going just 2-6 during his absence, and they are finally starting to look like the team many expected them to be at the start of the year.
The key for Milwaukee has been getting contributions from multiple players while their star is on a minutes restriction, with guys like Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and AJ Green stepping up in big moments.
Tonight's matchup against the Wizards should be a good chance for the Bucks to extend their winning streak before facing a tough January schedule.
The two teams have split the season series so far, with Milwaukee winning 133-120 on opening night and Washington pulling off a 129-126 upset on December 1.
Former Buck Khris Middleton, who now plays for the Wizards, hit the go-ahead three in that last meeting, so you can expect him to bring some extra energy against his old team once again.
Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.