Just when it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were back in business after snapping a seven-game losing skid bycrushing the Brooklyn Netson Saturday, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company were surprisinglydefeated by the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington on Monday, 129-126.
Washington was led by its pair of veteran bucket-getters in CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton. McCollum fired 28 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field, while Middleton only had 15 points, but he came up with some big shots in the fourth period, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with under a minute left in regulation.
Bucks’ hot shooting from deep not enough to avoid upset loss to Wizards
Dec 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
As for the Bucks, they are left to rue a loss despite their hot shooting from behind the arc.
ViaJustin García of Locked On Bucks:
The Bucks finished shooting 21/38 from three. This is just the 7th time in
@NBA history a team made 21 or more threes while shooting 55% or better and lost. All 7 of those events have come in the last 4 seasons
Kevin Porter Jr., who led all scorers in the contest with 30 points, went 12-for-15 from the floor, including five 3-pointers, while AJ Green had 13 points with four 3-pointers. Gary Trent Jr. came off the bench and scored 14 points with three triples.
But a leaky interior defense hurt Milwaukee, with the Wizards outscoring the Bucks in the paint by 24 points.
It shows that Milwaukee can’t just shoot its way to a win. While it is second in the league with 15.8 3-pointers per contest, its defense has been suspect, as the Bucks are just 22nd in the league with a 116.7 defensive rating.
Dec 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee guard Ryan Rollins (13) drives to the basket as Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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