Kyshawn George scored 23 points, Alex Sarr delivered a dominant night on the glass with 16 points and 17 rebounds, and the Washington Wizards pulled away late to beat the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 109-99 on Thursday night.
Khris Middleton and Bub Carrington added 13 points apiece for Washington, which controlled the interior with a 61-43 rebounding edge and earned its second straight victory.
Milwaukee played a second consecutive game without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remained sidelined with a calf strain amid swirling trade speculation. Myles Turner led the Bucks with 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Bobby Portis Jr. and Kyle Kuzma each scored 19. Milwaukee dropped its fourth straight game and seventh in its last eight.
The Wizards set the tone early, building an 18-point lead in the second quarter and carrying a 57-43 advantage into halftime. Washington clamped down defensively, holding the Bucks to 34.6% shooting overall and just 21.7% from 3-point range in the first half — its best defensive half of the season.
Milwaukee made a late push, trimming the deficit to three after Ryan Rollins knocked down a 3-pointer and Kuzma followed with a turnaround jumper. Turner then buried a 3 from the top to make it 101-99 with 1:30 remaining.
Washington responded immediately. Sarr answered with a runner in the lane, Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly each hit two free throws, and the Wizards forced four straight empty possessions to close out the win.
Washington rookie Tre Johnson exited in the second quarter after rolling his left ankle on a made jumper and did not return.
Up next:
Bucks: Visit Boston on Sunday.
Wizards: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
