With an opportunity to upset a Milwaukee Bucks squad missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Washington Wizards fell short. They trailed by double digits for the final 20 minutes, by as much as 26, before a late-game surge cut the final deficit to 11 points.
Bobby Portis dominated for the Bucks, recording 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 8 assists in just 32 minutes. He also added three steals, a block, and shot 6-9 from beyond the arc.
Khris Middleton, still regaining form after a lengthy injury absence, delivered his best game of the season with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in just 24 minutes. The Bucks were +31 when he was on the floor.
Despite shooting 42.9% from three (18-42) and earning trips to the free-throw line at three times the Bucks’ rate, the Wizards were never truly in contention. Their downfall? An alarming 19 turnovers against a Bucks team ranked 26th in defensive turnover percentage. Leading the miscues was Jordan Poole with seven turnovers, giving him a turnover rate of 27.6% compared to the league average of 13.1%.
The Bright Spots
Bilal Coulibaly: Showcased an efficient performance with 20 points on 13 shots, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and a block. His aggressive drives to the basket were an encouraging sign.
Corey Kispert: In his second game back from an ankle injury, Kispert looked sharp, scoring 16 points on 8 shots, including 3-5 from deep.
Alex Sarr: While he had some rough defensive moments, Sarr contributed with 3-6 shooting from three, three assists, and two steals. Official scorers credited a possible block as a steal.
Jonas Valanciunas: Provided a solid interior presence, despite missing two three-pointers. He added six rebounds and three assists.
The Struggles
Jordan Poole: Despite early scoring success (8-13 from three), Poole’s overall game was chaotic. His offensive rating of 92 (points per 100 possessions) reflected poor efficiency due to his seven turnovers, lack of offensive rebounds, and just three assists. His defense only improved in garbage time.
Malcolm Brogdon: Struggled with his pace and production, shooting just 2-10 from the floor with three assists and three turnovers. The Wizards were -21 during his 24 minutes on the court.
Four Factors
These metrics often decide basketball outcomes: shooting (eFG%), rebounding (OREB), ball handling (TOV), and fouling (FTM).
Stats & Metrics
Performance metrics, including Player Production Average (PPA) Game Score, evaluate players based on contributions (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defense) and penalize negative impacts (missed shots, turnovers, fouls).
