Milwaukee Bucks vs Washington Wizards Picks and Prediction for Wednesday October 21 2026
In Wednesday night NBA action, the Milwaukee Bucks will invade the nation’s capital to face the Washington Wizards. The game is scheduled for October 21, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST. Capital One Arena will be the setting and it will be broadcast on MNMT. Oddsmakers have made the upstart Wizards a 5.5 point home favorite and the total is 238.5. Make sure you check out all of our free NBA picks.
Milwaukee looking to rebuild
The Milwaukee Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade and pressed the reset button in the offseason. The Bucks (32-50) traded two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Milwaukee won just 13 road games a season ago and surrendered 116.8 points on average. In the preseason finale, Milwaukee needed overtime to escape Indiana with a 128-127 victory.
Milwaukee G Tyler Herro led all scorers with 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting in just 24 minutes of action. Rookie G Brayden Burries contributed 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Kel’el Ware added 13 points, but finished with a minus 13 rating for the Bucks.
New head coach Taylor Jenkins will need to inject some life into an offense that ranked 24th in efficiency. If the preseason is any indication, about half of Milwaukee’s field goal attempts are coming from the three-point line. The Bucks ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency and Myles Turner will be asked to do plenty of rim protecting.
Things looking up in Washington
The Washington Wizards have missed the playoffs in five consecutive years and have not won a playoff series since 2016. The Wizards (17-65) ended last season on a ten-game losing streak and finished with the worst overall record in the NBA. Washington selected F A.J. Dybantsa with the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft and are banking on Trae Young (4 yrs, $212 million) to regain All-Star form. On Friday, Washington turned the ball over 23 times during a 107-106 road loss against New Orleans.
Washington F Anthony Davis can still be a force when healthy and scored 14 points in 27 minutes of action. Kyshawn George connected on 3-for-5 from long distance and added 14 points. Trae Young missed 10 of 11 field goal attempts and committed five turnovers.
Washington has been a bottom five defensive team the last three years and surrendered 125 points per game a season ago. Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis, and newly acquired C Deandre Ayton provide plenty of size around the rim. Trae Young creates so much on offense and the Wizards should improve on their 22nd offensive efficiency ranking.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Washington Wizards Picks and Prediction
Pick: Washington Wizards -5.5
Milwaukee rookie F Nate Ament (ankle) sat out of Friday’s preseason game and is listed as questionable for this contest. The Bucks finished the preseason with a 2-3 record and averaged fewer than 100 points in the losses. The Wizards have quietly assembled a talented, young core and could compete for a playoff spot. Take Washington to win and cover in the season opener.
Pick: Under 238.5
Milwaukee played at the 11th fastest tempo in the league and Washington was 18th in that category. The Bucks are relying heavily on the three-point shot and they lack quality shooting. In Washington’s two preseason victories they averaged 112.5 points. The Wizards have plenty of talent, but that will take time to gel. Take the under to cash on opening night.
Final Score Prediction: Washington Wizards win 121-109