The Washington Wizards earned one of their most balanced wins of the season Monday night, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 129–126 at Capital One Arena. It marked the team’s second straight home victory and their second win in their last three outings, but more importantly, it showed what this roster looks like when effort, discipline, and depth all click at the same time.
Keefe Praises Coulibaly’s Defensive Impact
Head Coach Brian Keefe emphasized postgame that the team’s late-game toughness came directly from the defensive intensity they were able to sustain down the stretch, a tone he credited to Bilal Coulibaly.
“Sometimes you have to grind games out in the NBA. We grinded that one out because of our defense, and Bilal was the head of that for sure.”
Coulibaly finished with 7 points, five rebounds, a season-high three steals, two assists and a block, while also hitting a major milestone: becoming the fourth player in franchise history to reach 100 career blocks at age 21 or younger.
After battling injuries earlier this season, he told Double Take Sports he’s now beginning to feel like himself again: “It’s been up and down…I think I needed a game like that.”
His defensive presence, both on the ball and in help coverage, set the tone for a Wizards team that consistently disrupted Milwaukee’s rhythm, particularly in late possessions.
McCollum Leads the Offense; Middleton Steadies the Fourth
Offensively, CJ McCollum continues to anchor Washington’s perimeter scoring. He posted a team-high 28 points, added five assists, and knocked down multiple threes for the 10th time in his last 11 outings.
McCollum’s last three-pointer was the game winning shot to seal the Wizards victory over he Bucks.
Khris Middleton also delivered another efficient and timely performance. He finished with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal, and was one of the key catalysts late, making smart reads, moving the ball, and helping Washington maintain composure through Milwaukee’s final push.
Their combined experience gave Washington steady scoring options in the halfcourt while younger players filled in the energy and pace.
Bagley on Finishing Games: “Every Possession Matters”
Marvin Bagley III started for the second time this season and produced one of his best outings as a Wizard: 22 points (11-16 FG), eight rebounds and seven offensive boards — his highest scoring game since 2025.
When asked by Double Take Sports about the team’s recent uptick in late-game execution, something players have emphasized over the past few months, Bagley pointed to discipline and collective focus:
“Staying locked in… every possession matters. And we did a great job of being locked into every possession, doing what we are capable of doing. If we stay locked into that in crunch time, we’ll give ourselves a chance every night.”
The Wizards have now won back-to-back home games, and Bagley’s emphasis on focus reflects a trend Washington has been trying to build, especially with a road game immediately following this one.
Bench Mob Steps Up: Whitmore, Vukcevic, Champagnie Deliver
Washington’s bench outscored Milwaukee 48–34, and several reserves delivered some of their strongest performances of the season:
Cam Whitmore: 17 points (8-14 FG), five rebounds and a steal — his second 15/5 game of the season.
Tristan Vukcevic: Season-high 16 points, two assists, two rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes, including 11 first-half points.
Justin Champagnie: 10 points, eight rebounds (six offensive), two assists, two blocks and a steal — his second 10/5 game of the year and his fifth straight outing with at least one steal.
Their collective production allowed Washington to sustain pace, win the paint battle 58–34, and keep Milwaukee from controlling the glass.
Now the Wizards will look to sustain their winning ways. It may not be a win every night but as long as they stay competitive and focused, they will have an opportunity to stack some much-needed victories.