CJ McCollum buries the Bucks with a tough game winner

The Washington Wizards ended 2025 on a high note with a dramatic 114-113 win against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday, thanks to the guard’s last-second heroics CJ McCollum. With one second remaining, McCollum came down the court after a defensive rebound, went over Myles Turner and hit a pull-up baseline jumper over AJ Green for the win. The shot capped McCollum’s 18-point night and pushed him over 16,000 career points.

Washington counted on contributions from several players. Alex Sarr had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while Bub Carrington also scored 20, including three straight 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to give the Wizards a 99-91 lead. Justin Champagne came off the bench to add 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks, helping Washington overcome a late rally by Milwaukee.

Wizards rookie Tre Johnson and AJ Johnson were the best in the first half. Tre set a franchise record by hitting his first four 3-pointers, making it nine straight as a rookie and surpassing Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 2015 mark. Meanwhile, AJ, playing against his former team, made two 3-pointers in the second quarter. The Johnsons combined for 22 points to help Washington take a 65-62 halftime lead.

The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 points and 13 rebounds, kept the game close. Milwaukee shot 41.1% from the field and made 16 of 39 three-pointers. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 19 points and Ryan Rollins had 16 for the Bucks. After falling behind 99-91 early in the fourth, Milwaukee made a late comeback, with Antetokounmpo and Rollins tying the game at 110-110 with just over two minutes left. The Bucks temporarily took a 113-110 lead with 33 seconds left before McCollum scored the final four points for the Wizards.

Milwaukee struggled from the bench, being outscored 52-23, and only Bobby Portis was in double figures with 13 points. Washington’s reserves, on the other hand, were key, with Carrington and Champagne adding 32 points and shooting 50% from three.

The Wizards’ win over the Bucks was their second against Milwaukee this season. With the win, Washington enters 2026 on a high and will look to continue the momentum at home against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.