Wall stars, Beal returns as Wizards down Bucks

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) goes for a layup past Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton. AP

WASHINGTON – John Wall scored 19 points and backcourt mate Bradley Beal had 11 in his return from injury to help the Washington Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-101 on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

Beal came off the bench and played 22 minutes in his first game since Dec. 9. He had been sidelined with a stress reaction in his lower right leg.

Ramon Sessions added 15 points and Jared Dudley had 13 for Washington, including two late 3-pointers to help preserve a third straight win.

Khris Middleton scored 25 points to lead Milwaukee, which allowed 36 points off a season-high 27 turnovers in its fourth loss in the last six games.

Greg Monroe added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who erased a 19-point second-quarter deficit to take the lead by the end of the third.

Milwaukee got within three in the final moments before Beal hit a pair of free throws with 1.6 seconds to play.

Washington trailed 74-71 after three quarters before opening the fourth on a 22-6 run.

Sessions’ dunk off Nene’s outlet feed gave the Wizards a 75-74 lead. Later in the spurt, Wall kicked out to Sessions for an open 3-pointer before driving the lane and flushing home a strong, left-handed dunk that made it 93-80 with 5:29 left.

Milwaukee scored the last 11 points of the third to take its first lead since the opening period.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 13 points in the quarter. Middleton’s turnaround jumper put the Bucks up 72-71, and Rashad Vaughn drove and dished to John Henson for a dunk in the final seconds.