By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Khris Middleton returning to Fiserv Forum as an opponent for the first time, the Milwaukee Bucks topped the Washington Wizards, 133-120.
Kevin Porter Jr. left the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season opener with a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a wrist injury but lasted nearly 27 minutes, tallying a 37-point, 14-rebound double-double, alongside five assists.
“I feel great,” he responded in the postgame press conference on Wednesday, rejecting a potential setback.
“I felt like in the third quarter, we kind of stopped,” the Freak explained how a 22-point advantage was reduced into single digits after the break before his side restored a safe lead, “We weren’t touching the paint at all, so that’s why they were able to come back in the game.”
Among his brothers, Thanasis missed one shot in 102 seconds of action, but Alex did not suit up. On the losing end, his longtime teammate Middleton registered a team-high 23 points.
“It was weird,” admitted Giannis, referring to 34-year-old Middleton. “This is my third time playing against him. Obviously, he had a very good game. He still can hoop; he’s still a big threat when he’s out there on the court. He always plays the right way, makes a good decision, and makes his teammates better. Defensively, he’s always gonna be in the right position, and sometimes he’s gonna put his body on the line, take a charge. He’s always been playing smart.”
The team coached by Doc Rivers made 18/44 from beyond the arc, including one from Giannis.
“They know me as a leader,” the Greek superstar talked about his side attempting more three-pointers, “Once I swung the ball and guys wide open and they don’t shoot the ball, I kind of get upset sometimes because I feel like that’s a good shot. Like we want to get good shots. It doesn’t matter how it’s going to happen. There’s gonna be times that we’re gonna throw the ball ahead, I’m gonna get it back, then have a guy come set a pick and roll, and then get in the paint, then swing the ball to the three. But there’s gonna be some times that you just go get the rebound and throw the ball ahead, you’re gonna be wide open. If you’re wide open and nobody’s around you or closing out, shoot the ball. If you miss, we come right back, shoot it again.”
Beyond the Greek brothers on the Bucks, European action spread to Swiss Kyshawn George, packing 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal, and French Alex Sarr producing a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double plus three assists. Serbian Tristan Vukcevic was limited to 1:42, and French Bilal Coulibaly was sidelined due to recent right-hand surgery.