There won’t be a dry eye in sight as the Milwaukee Bucks welcome franchise legend Khris Middleton and the Washington Wizards to Fiserv Forum tonight for both teams’ season opener. It will be Middleton’s first game back in Milwaukee since being traded for Kyle Kuzma last season.
Where We’re At
Finishing the preseason with a 3-1 record, the Bucks head into the season with cautious optimism despite the wider media predicting a down year. Revamped with a new cast of lesser names but (hopefully) better fits, the Bucks are
leaning into the “Giannis plus shooters” model that will look to push the pace, take 50% of its shots from three, and offer more consistent defensive resistance than it has in recent times. Preseason indicated that coach Doc Rivers has finally taken heed of what many fans have been clamouring for—AJ Green moving into the starting lineup and Kyle Kuzma transitioning to a reserve role in a swap that helps both lineups. Green’s spacing is imperative to the offence, and he’s clearly been in the weight room in a bid to take on bigger wings. On the other hand, as a reserve, Kuzma will get the chance to play his natural power forward position where he’ll be afforded opportunities to rebound and run, emphasising his strengths—particularly in transition—while limiting his weaknesses. Make no mistake, both players will need to play well for the Bucks to be successful this year, and that starts tonight.
The Wizards finally seem to have a plan after winning just 31% of their games over the last four seasons—a combined 103-225 win/loss record. No longer “led” by the Kuzmas (welp) and Jordan Pooles of the NBA, the Wizards have the steady veteran presence of Middleton and former NBPA president CJ McCollum to guide a roster stacked full of potential. Going 1-2 in the preseason, the Wizards are banking on growth from their sophomore core—Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George—along with highly-touted rookie Tre Johnson (6th overall via Texas) and talented offseason acquisition Cam Whitmore. Coach Brian Keefe will continue to emphasise speed and transition this year after the team finished the 2024–25 season fourth in pace, but will look to do so while improving their offensive efficiency. Middleton and McCollum will surely help, but for this to happen, Sarr absolutely must improve on his 45.8% effective field goal percentage, which ranked in just the 5th percentile for bigs last year (per Cleaning The Glass). The ‘Zards won’t push for the play-in tournament (let alone the playoffs) but have enough young talent to rack up some upsets—so it’s imperative the Bucks put tonight’s game away early.
Injury Report
It’s a clean bill of health for the Bucks, with no one listed on the injury list.
For the Wizards, Will Riley is questionable with a right ankle sprain, while Bilal Coulibaly is out following right hand surgery.
Player To Watch
James Khristian Middleton is the only correct answer here. Across 12 seasons with the Bucks, Middleton averaged 17.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.1 APG, earning three All-Star selections. His name is etched throughout the franchise record books, ranking second in career games and minutes played, first in three-point makes and attempts, third in points and assists, fifth in steals, and seventh in rebounds. More importantly, Middleton was a role model, a pillar of consistent excellence who guided the team through its worst—just 15 wins in 2013–14—right through to the infinite glory of 2021.
Now in a mentor role with the Wizards, Middleton is a villain in name only. So, let tonight be a throwback. Curl off screens for a flurry of 17-footers, splash turnarounds from the mid post, rhythm dribble into cold-blooded threes, hit rollers with pocket dimes, and perfectly weighted lobs. Leak out for a rare jam. Drop 40. Be Khash. Remind us of everything you are; of everything we love. And miss. Just do it in a loss.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CDT.
