Anthony Davis praised the Washington Wizards' home crowd following the team's 128-116 season-opening win over the Milwaukee Bucks, but he couldn't help wishing there were more people in attendance.
"Man, it was fun," Davis said postgame Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Josh Robbins. He added, "If we're being honest, I'd like it to be a little more packed in there, you know? But the crowd was great. They were into it. They got us over the hump. ...
"Even when I came last year, the very first home game, I was like, 'It's Dress Like a Seat Night in here.' But it's good that they're showing up for us now."
The Wizards drew an announced crowd of 18,805 to Capital One Arena, well short of the venue's 20,000 seat capacity. However, Davis expressed optimism that support from the fan base will "only get better and better."
The 10-time All-Star delivered a vintage performance in his regular-season debut with the Wizards, scoring a game-high 34 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four assists and two steals.
It was Davis' first regular-season game in over nine months after he sustained a left hand injury as a member of the Dallas Mavericks in January. Washington acquired the versatile big man in a three-team trade in February.
Davis and guard Trae Young are working alongside a young nucleus to turn around a franchise that finished with a 17-65 record in the 2025-26 season. Washington hasn't made a playoff appearance since the 2020-21 campaign.
"We've got to be able to create the atmosphere for them to come and cheer for us," Davis said.
Washington was able to get past the Bucks without the help of No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, who suffered an ankle sprain in the team's preseason finale.
The Wizards host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
