The Washington Wizards secured a decisive 109-99 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 29, 2026, at the Capital One Arena. This victory marked the third consecutive win for Washington in the head-to-head series, highlighting a shifting dynamic between these two Eastern Conference teams. Key performances from Bilal Coulibaly and rookie standout Alex Sarr provided the momentum needed to overcome a persistent Bucks effort led by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Detailed Player Stats for January 29, 2026

The January 29 matchup was a defensive struggle that saw Washington pull away in the closing minutes. Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the player statistics for both squads.

Washington Wizards Player Statistics

The Wizards utilized a balanced offensive approach with five players scoring in double digits. Their bench depth proved to be a deciding factor in the fourth quarter.

Player MIN PTS REB AST FG 3PT FT STL BLK TOV +/-
Bilal Coulibaly 36 24 9 4 9-16 2-5 4-5 2 1 2 +12
Alex Sarr 32 18 12 2 7-14 1-4 3-6 1 4 1 +8
Carlton "Bub" Carrington 30 15 3 7 6-11 3-6 0-0 1 0 3 +10
Khris Middleton 34 16 5 5 6-13 2-6 2-2 1 0 2 +7
Jordan Poole 28 14 2 4 5-15 4-10 0-0 0 0 4 -2
Jonas Valanciunas 22 10 8 1 4-7 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 +5
Corey Kispert 20 8 3 2 3-8 2-6 0-0 1 0 0 +4
Kyshawn George 18 4 4 1 2-6 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 +6

Milwaukee Bucks Player Statistics

The Bucks struggled with efficiency beyond the arc and turnovers during critical stretches. Kyle Kuzma faced his former team once again, contributing significantly to the scoreline.

Player MIN PTS REB AST FG 3PT FT STL BLK TOV +/-
Giannis Antetokounmpo 38 28 13 6 11-19 0-1 6-11 2 2 5 -8
Kyle Kuzma 35 21 7 4 8-18 3-8 2-3 1 0 3 -12
Brook Lopez 30 12 6 1 5-10 2-5 0-0 0 3 1 -5
Gary Trent Jr. 32 15 4 2 5-14 5-12 0-0 2 0 1 -7
Ryan Rollins 26 9 3 5 4-9 1-3 0-0 1 0 2 -10
AJ Green 22 6 2 2 2-7 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 -4
Pat Connaughton 18 4 3 1 2-4 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 -2
Tyler Smith 12 4 2 0 2-3 0-1 0-0 0 1 0 -2

Analyzing the Wizards' Three-Game Streak

The January 29 result is not an isolated incident. The Washington Wizards have developed a statistical formula that has allowed them to dominate the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the 2025-26 season.

December 31, 2025: A New Year’s Eve Thriller

Before the late January clash, these teams met on New Year’s Eve, where Washington scraped by with a 114-113 victory. In that contest, the Wizards’ ability to capitalize on fast-break points was evident.

  • Wizards Fast-Break Points: 22
  • Bucks Fast-Break Points: 11
  • Jordan Poole’s Impact: Poole scored 27 points, including 5 three-pointers in the second half to erase a double-digit Milwaukee lead.

December 1, 2025: High-Scoring Affair

Earlier in December, the Wizards defeated the Bucks 129-126. This game featured high offensive efficiency from both sides, but Washington’s interior scoring gave them the edge. Alex Sarr recorded 21 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing his ability to compete with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the paint.

The Kuzma-Middleton Trade Impact on Box Scores

The most significant shift in the rivalry occurred following the mid-2024-25 season trade that sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee and Khris Middleton to Washington. This move changed the statistical identity of both rosters.

Kyle Kuzma as a Buck

Since joining Milwaukee, Kuzma has taken on a secondary scoring role behind Giannis. In his meetings against Washington, Kuzma has averaged:

  • Points: 19.5 per game
  • Rebounds: 7.2 per game
  • 3P%: 34.8% His familiarity with the Wizards’ defensive schemes has allowed him to find openings, but his overall plus/minus in these matchups has been negative, largely due to Milwaukee's defensive lapses against Washington’s youthful wings.

Khris Middleton as a Wizard

Middleton’s transition to the Wizards was initially hampered by recovery from surgeries, but his 2025-26 form has been stellar. In the January 29 game, his veteran presence was felt in the fourth quarter. Middleton’s stats against his former team have reflected a more playmaking-focused role:

  • Points: 16.8 per game
  • Assists: 5.4 per game
  • Clutch Shooting: Middleton has hit 45% of his mid-range jumpers in the final five minutes of games against Milwaukee.

Retrospective: October 22, 2025 (Season Opener)

While Washington has dominated recently, the 2025-26 season actually began with a Bucks victory. On October 22, 2025, Milwaukee defeated Washington 133-120. This game remains the highest-scoring matchup between the two in the last two years.

Top Performers from Oct 22, 2025

  1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 37 points, 14 rebounds. He went 15-of-24 from the field, dominating the paint early.
  2. Khris Middleton (WAS): 23 points in his first game back at Milwaukee. He received a standing ovation but could not prevent the loss.
  3. Kyshawn George (WAS): 21 points. This game marked his emergence as a reliable scoring threat for the Wizards.
  4. Gary Trent Jr. (MIL): 17 points, providing the necessary floor spacing for Giannis.

The Bucks shot 18-of-44 (40.9%) from three-point range in this game, following Doc Rivers' training camp emphasis on increasing long-range attempts. However, as the season progressed, this shooting consistency wavered, leading to the Wizards' subsequent victories.

Key Statistical Trends: 2024 vs. 2026

The evolution of the Bucks-Wizards rivalry can be seen through several key metrics over the past 14 months.

Points in the Paint (PITP)

Historically, the Bucks dominated the paint through Giannis. However, the Wizards' addition of Alex Sarr and the physical presence of Jonas Valanciunas have neutralized this advantage.

  • Nov 30, 2024: Bucks outscored Wizards in the paint by 14.
  • Jan 29, 2026: Wizards outscored Bucks in the paint 52-48.

Turnovers and Points Off Turnovers

The Wizards' youth has often led to higher turnover rates, but in their recent wins, they have turned the tables.

  • Dec 21, 2024: The Wizards committed 19 turnovers, leading to 24 Bucks points.
  • Jan 29, 2026: The Bucks committed 15 turnovers, leading to 18 Wizards points, while the Wizards kept their turnovers to a manageable 12.

Three-Point Shooting Volume

Under Doc Rivers, the Bucks have attempted significantly more threes.

  • 2024 Average attempts against Wizards: 35.2
  • 2026 Average attempts against Wizards: 42.1 While the volume is up, the percentage has fluctuated. In the 109-99 loss, Milwaukee shot only 31% from deep, which prevented them from closing the gap in the final period.

Historical Game Recaps (2024-2025)

To understand the current statistical landscape, we must look at the foundation built during the 2024-25 season.

February 21, 2025: The First Post-Trade Encounter

In a tightly contested battle, the Bucks escaped with a 104-101 win. This game was defined by foul trouble for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out nearly 12 minutes between the third and fourth quarters.

  • Giannis Stats: 18 points, 6 rebounds (fouled out with 3:36 left).
  • Alex Sarr Breakthrough: Scored 22 points, a career-high at the time, showing he could handle the pressure of a close game.
  • Kyle Kuzma (MIL debut vs WAS): 19 points, 8 rebounds.

December 21, 2024: Bobby Portis’ Season High

Before his 2025 suspension, Bobby Portis was a vital piece for Milwaukee. On this night, with Giannis sidelined due to back spasms, Portis exploded for 34 points and 10 rebounds.

  • Result: Bucks 112, Wizards 101.
  • Other notable stats: Khris Middleton (then a Buck) had 18 points and 8 assists. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 26 points.

November 30, 2024: The Triple-Double Masterclass

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered one of his most dominant performances on November 30, 2024, recording 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

  • Result: Bucks 124, Wizards 114.
  • Wizards Performance: Despite the loss, Jordan Poole (31 pts) and Malcolm Brogdon (29 pts) kept Washington competitive until the final four minutes.

Why the Wizards are Finding Success Against Milwaukee

Statistical analysis suggests three primary reasons for the Wizards' recent 3-0 run against the Bucks:

  1. Length and Versatility: Players like Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr have the wingspan to bother Giannis and contest Milwaukee's perimeter shooters effectively. Coulibaly's defensive rating in the January 29 game was a team-best 98.4.
  2. Depth and Fatigue: The Bucks rely heavily on their aging core (Antetokounmpo, Lopez, Middleton—now replaced by Kuzma). The Wizards play at a faster pace (Pace factor of 102.5 vs Bucks' 99.1), wearing down Milwaukee's starters by the fourth quarter.
  3. The "Middleton" Factor: Having Khris Middleton on the Wizards has provided them with an "inside man" who understands the Bucks' defensive rotations perfectly. His 5 assists in the latest game were mostly setups for Sarr and Coulibaly when the Bucks' defense over-committed to the ball handler.

Summary of Recent Meetings

The rivalry has shifted from a one-sided dominance by Milwaukee to a competitive series where Washington currently holds the momentum.

  • Jan 29, 2026: Wizards 109, Bucks 99 (Coulibaly 24 pts)
  • Dec 31, 2025: Wizards 114, Bucks 113 (Poole 27 pts)
  • Dec 1, 2025: Wizards 129, Bucks 126 (Sarr 21 pts)
  • Oct 22, 2025: Bucks 133, Wizards 120 (Giannis 37 pts)
  • Feb 21, 2025: Bucks 104, Wizards 101 (Kuzma 19 pts)
  • Dec 21, 2024: Bucks 112, Wizards 101 (Portis 34 pts)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who has the most points in a single game between these teams since 2024?

Giannis Antetokounmpo holds the record with 42 points scored on November 30, 2024. The highest score for a Wizard in this period is Jordan Poole’s 31 points in that same game.

How did the Kuzma for Middleton trade affect the win-loss record?

Before the trade (late 2024), the Bucks were 2-0 against the Wizards. Since the trade and the start of the 2025-26 season, the Wizards have won 3 out of 4 matchups, suggesting the trade may have benefited Washington's long-term chemistry more than Milwaukee's immediate needs.

What are the key injuries that have impacted these stats?

Damian Lillard missed several games in the 2024-25 season due to calf and hamstring issues, which forced Ryan Rollins into a starting role. Giannis also missed a game in December 2024 with back spasms. Most recently, the Bucks have played without Bobby Portis due to a league suspension.

Which rookie has made the biggest impact in this rivalry?

Alex Sarr has been the standout rookie for Washington. In his four games against Milwaukee across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, he has averaged 18 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.

Where did the January 29, 2026 game take place?

The game was played at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with an attendance of 17,341 fans.

Conclusion

The statistical trajectory of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards matchups points to a rising young core in the nation's capital. While Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a statistical juggernaut, the Wizards have successfully surrounded him with length and athleticism, forcing the Bucks into high-volume but low-efficiency shooting nights. The mid-season trade of 2025 remains the pivot point of this rivalry, turning the Wizards from a struggling franchise into a team capable of rattling one of the East's perennial contenders. As the 2025-26 season continues, the "player stats" from these encounters will be crucial for any team looking to build a blueprint for stopping the Bucks' offense.