With victories over Indiana and Charlotte, the Milwaukee Bucks won consecutive games for the first time since October. Now, they have a chance to win three straight for the first time this season. And while a date with the Wizards is hardly national TV material, it couldn’t be a more fitting way for the Bucks to build some New Year’s momentum and redeem themselves for a loss in Washington that supplied one of the lowest lows this season.
Streak-starved Bucks cannot blow chance to gain steam for 2026
That’s saying something. At 14-19, authors of the franchise’s longest losing streak since Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rookie year, the Bucks have lost a lot of games. They have been blown out by teams they should beat, given leads away in embarrassing fashion. That loss to the Wizards on the first of the month was a discouraging blow. Giannis had only recently returned from a groin strain. The Bucks were desperate for some extended success on the heels of seven straight losses.
Instead, they fell to a two-win Wizards squad currently sitting at 7-24. The team looked out of sync. Even Giannis appeared disinterested. Khris Middleton sealed his team’s 129-126 victory with a dagger three.
The next morning, a new bout of Giannis drama erupted when he purged Bucks-related content from his social media. Fresh trade gossip swirled.
Oct 22, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) joke around during their game at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
In Milwaukee’s following game, Giannis strained his calf three minutes in. The Bucks miraculously beat the Pistons but went 2-6 with Giannis sidelined. The sour feeling of the Wizards loss lingered, fermented, and took new forms – a drubbing by the Nets, a meltdown in Minnesota.
Antetokounmpo returned from his calf injury Saturday against the Bulls, well ahead of schedule. The Bucks have scrapped together some positive momentum. Winning consecutive games will do that for a team that hasn’t for a full two months. Despite a high concentration of road games, the schedule ahead looks favorable.
Milwaukee has a real opportunity to start stacking W’s. Getting Middleton and the Wizards back on New Year’s Eve would be the perfect way to keep a good thing going.
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