With no Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup, the Washington Wizards still managed to allow a franchise-worst 88 points to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half.
The Wizards trailed 88-63 at the break.
Milwaukee shot 61.2% from the field, including 14-of-24 from three point-range. Khris Middleton picked up the pace left off in Antetokounmpo’s absence with 28 points on 9-of-10 shooting. Eric Bledsoe added 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
The Wizards couldn’t stop themselves if they tried. Entering the game, Washington was statistically the worst team in the NBA. They have a league-worst 116.1 defensive rating. It’s worse on the road at 118.3 and even more worse in the first half on the road at 123.7.
The Wizards previous most points allowed in a half was also by the Bucks, who scored 85 on Washington in the first half in a February 2019 game. Both were records for points scored by Milwaukee in a half.
If there was any bright spot it was the fact Bradley Beal dropped 24 points in the first 24 minutes of the game.
The Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 40-6, while the Wizards are a dreadful 15-30.
