The Milwaukee Bucks begin their 2026-27 NBA regular season on the road against the Washington Wizards tonight with a remarkably clean injury report. Only rookie forward Nate Ament is listed out with a left ankle sprain, giving the new-look Bucks a significant health advantage as they tip off a new era. Their last preseason outing was a 128-127 victory over the Indiana Pacers on October 16, 2026.
Milwaukee's injury situation is straightforward. Nate Ament, the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will miss the opener due to that ankle sprain. The 19-year-old averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game at Tennessee last season. His absence isn't a major blow to the immediate rotation, but the Bucks will want their first-round talent healthy soon.
Washington's list is longer and more impactful. Rookie forward AJ Dybantsa, a cornerstone of the Wizards' future plans alongside stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, is out with a left ankle sprain. Head coach Brian Keefe confirmed the injury occurred in the preseason finale. Forward Tristan Vukcevic (left hip impingement) and Jamir Watkins (ACL recovery) are also ruled out.
Starting the season healthy is a luxury Milwaukee hasn't always had. With Giannis Antetokounmpo now in Miami, the Bucks are retooling around guard Tyler Herro. A clean bill of health for the core group allows head coach Doc Rivers to establish chemistry and rotations from day one without compromise.
Their preseason results were a mixed bag, featuring wins over the Pacers (128-127 on Oct. 16) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (128-126 on Oct. 7) but also losses to the Chicago Bulls (125-104 on Oct. 14) and Minnesota Timberwolves (116-97 on Oct. 5). A full squad gives them the best chance to build consistency.
With Dybantsa out, the Wizards will lean even more heavily on the star duo of Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Milwaukee's defense will be tested immediately by that pick-and-roll combination. For the Bucks, all eyes will be on how Herro orchestrates the offense and which secondary scorers step up.
The matchup offers an early look at two Eastern Conference teams on different rebuilding paths. Milwaukee's health is a positive sign, but converting that into a road win against a motivated Washington team is the real challenge.
Tip-off is set for tonight, October 21, 2026, at Capital One Arena. After handling a preseason with a 3-2 record, the Bucks' new chapter begins with a major opportunity.
