Late Surge Lifts Washington Wizards to 2026-27 Season Opening Win

The Washington Wizards took control of the fourth quarter, outscoring the Milwaukee Bucks 34-18 over the final 12 minutes, to secure a 128-116 regular season win on opening night.

Anthony Davis led the way with 34 points and 12 rebounds, becoming the first to record a double-double in his Wizards debut since Marvin Bagley III on Jan. 18, 2024. He also became the first player in franchise history to eclipse 30 points and ten rebounds in his debut.

Trae Young also totaled 20 points and 13 assists, teaming up with Davis to become the first set of Wizards' teammates to record double-doubles on opening night since the 2022 season.

Kyshawn George added 18 points on 57.1% shooting while Bilal Coulibaly added 11 points on 66.7% shooting and four steals, his most since notching five steals against the Orlando Magic back on Jan. 6.

With AJ Dybantsa sidelined for the regular season opener, Coulibaly drew the start at the wing with Kyshawn George at the two, though Coulibaly was everywhere to start the game. Days removed from his rookie extension window closing without a new deal, Coulibaly registered a pair of steals and an assist through the first five minutes of the game.

Anthony Davis would follow it up midway through the opening quarter by knocking down his first three point attempt, then two possessions later, connecting with Kyshawn George for an alley-oop. Davis then responded by converting an and-one opportunity to help give the Wizards the lead back.

Davis was already up to ten points and six rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting from the field through his first eight minutes, helping the Wizard cling to a two-point lead through the first quarter.

After Tre Johnson and Justin Champagnie were first off the bench in the opening quarter, Bub Carrington and Deandre Ayton joined Khris Middleton on the floor to begin the second quarter with head coach Brian Keefe deploying a ten-minute rotation to start. Yet with the half court offense going cold and Milwaukee out rebounding Washington, 11-4, through the first nine minutes. Carrington, though, would deliver a spark after notching a steal within the halfcourt offense, while also bailing out Trae Young with a three as the shot clock expired.

Milwaukee was still able to largely control the boards to ride a 56-51 lead into halftime, maintaining that lead through the third quarter. To make matters worse, George picked up his fourth foul with over 17 minutes left in regulation, leading Bub Carrington to replace him in the lineup.

Yet Davis would carry the Wizards after playing all 12 minutes and notching 18 points and four rebounds in the third quarter, sparking MVP chants inside Capital One Arena.

Trailing by three to begin the fourth quarter, Washington would retake the lead after Justin Champagnie found a cutting Deandre Ayton for a slam that led the crowd back on its feet and the Milwaukee Bucks to call timeout just 95 seconds in. That would only continue after scoring again in transition, this time from Kyshawn George to Justin Champagnie for an and-one opportunity to cap off an 8-0 run, enough to grab a seven point lead with eight minutes left.

Kyshawn George would then push the tempo in transition to find Bilal Coulibaly for a corner three, then Trae Young finding Ayton at the rim, to put the Wizards up by double figures with seven minutes left.

Coulibaly's putback dunk on Anthony Davis' miss with three minutes left seemingly put the final touches on the game.

Washington will return to action to host the Toronto Raptors on Friday night with tipoff set for 7 PM.