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[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Preview & Game Thread: Inverted expectations

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 11: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Prior to the season, we expected the Milwaukee Bucks to make the playoffs and maybe even win a round, while the Boston Celtics were anticipating a gap year following Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury—our friends over at Celtics Blog even said as much. How wrong we were. After another loss to the Washington Generals Wizards, the Bucks are now 12th in the East at 18-28, while the Celtics are sitting pretty at 30-18, tied with the New York Knicks for second place. Trending in opposite directions—but the Bucks holding a 1-0 season lead—the sides take to TD Garden this afternoon for the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic, which recognises the start of Black History Month and honours the legacy of NBA Pioneers Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, and Earl Lloyd, the league’s first Black players.

Where We’re At​

As you are well aware, the Bucks are the talk of the NBA for all the wrong reasons, with trade rumours galore dominating conversation. On the court, the Bucks continue to free fall, losing four in a row and eight of their last 10. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Myles Turner is in the midst of his best stretch as a Buck (more on that below), Bobby Portis has found a new wrinkle with his passing, and Pete Nance is making a case that he’s more than just a two-way player. And, at this point, it seems losing games isn’t so bad after all, with 85% of fans agreeing that the Bucks should try and get a high draft pick.

Boston, on the other hand, continues its Cinderella season. Winners of three of their last five, the Celtics have defied the odds this season and are a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference, even if there are some cracks in the armour. Jaylen Brown continues to lead the Celtics and was recently named All-Star starter for his efforts—the first time in his career he’s received that honour. Payton Pritchard has also been in red-hot form, putting up 21.2 PPG and 4.4 APG (shooting .545/.500/.714) over his last five. But that should come as no surprise for someone who’s the most efficient isolation scorer in the league. Yet, it’s his ability to score and create without turning the ball over that’s most impressive. On the season, Pritchard has an absurd 248 assists to just 52 turnovers, crediting his offensive mastery to his roots as a quarterback. Needless to say, the Bucks could learn a few things.

Injury Report​

For the Bucks, Giannis (calf), Taurean Prince (neck), and Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) all remain out, while Gary Harris is listed as probable (hamstring soreness).

For the Celtics, it’s a clean bill of health besides Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and the G-Leaguers, with Amari Williams listed as questionable.

Player To Watch​

Over the past three games, Myles Turner has had his season-high in points (31, vs. Philadelphia), rebounds (14, vs. Washington), and blocks (6, vs. Denver and Washington). In this stretch, he’s averaging 23.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 4.7 BPG, while shooting .568/.389/.923—the sort of output we dreamed he would offer when signed in the offseason and nearly twice as good as he’s been for the year. Digging deeper, though, there’s not as much change as there appears. Turner’s rebound percentage in this stretch (10.5%) is much the same as it has been for the season (9.4%), and his usage (21.5%) is only marginally increased from the 18.1% he’s had as a Buck (albeit much closer to the 20.7-23.4% he had with the Pacers over the last three years). What has changed, however, is his block percentage, going from 5.6% on the season to an otherworldly (and completely unsustainable) 12.1%. Moreover, his true shooting percentage has spiked from just 59% on the season to 69% over the last three. In large part, this can be attributed to Turner’s improved finishing inside, where he’s shot 88% from within five feet (compared to just 64% on the year). Not only has he been converting more from this range lately, he’s also attempting more (5.7 attempts per game, up from a measly 2.1). So, has Turner turned the corner and finally found his interior groove with the Bucks, is it that he’s getting more opportunities without Giannis dominating the interior, is Doc Rivers finally utilising him beyond floor spacer, or is this just a flash-in-the-pan hot stretch? Considering he put up just four points and three rebounds against the Celtics in their only other meeting this year, this afternoon’s game should provide at least some answers to these questions.

How To Watch​

ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CST.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-game...scussion-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 131, Bulls 115

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 3: Matas Buzelis #14 of Chicago Bulls passes the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks started their three-game homestand with a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls. It stops the bleeding a little bit, after the Bucks had lost five in a row. Kyle Kuzma tied a season high with 31 points on 12/22 shooting, while Ryan Rollins finished with a 21-point, 10-assist double-double. Second-year forward Matas Buzelis led the Bulls offense with 22 points on 5/10 shooting from three-point range.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

With nine rotational players out tonight on both sides (for various reasons), they each needed someone to step up. After Kuzma got the Bucks started with the first four points, AJ Green found his rhythm from distance. Green’s back-to-back threes helped extend Milwaukee’s lead to nine points after Kuzma laid it in, forcing a timeout from Chicago. That didn’t slow down the Bucks, finishing the quarter on a 10-4 run. That gave the Bucks their largest advantage, 39-24, heading into the second quarter.

Already up by double-digits, Milwaukee continued to pour it on a short-handed Chicago squad. They hit their first two shots from beyond the arc, making it eight consecutive makes from three-point range going back to Ryan Rollins’ three in the first. For once, the Bucks were the team ahead by 20+ points, after Myles Turner hit a couple of free throws. Turner and Rollins took turns scoring on the Bulls, with the pair going for 10 straight points. Green punctuated an explosive first half for Milwaukee’s offense, putting up 77 points while Chicago limped into the locker room with 52.

The Bulls got out to a fast start in the second half, going on a 10-2 run. After a timeout from Doc Rivers, the Bucks settled in thanks to Kuzma, scoring two straight buckets for Milwaukee. Yet, the Bucks we’ve come to expect this season reared their ugly heads once again. Chicago went on a 15-4 run, cutting Milwaukee’s lead from 19 to just eight. The Bucks were able to close out the frame on a 9-3 run, thanks in part to the two-man game of Cole Anthony and Pete Nance. The run gave Milwaukee a 16-point lead going into the fourth, 105-89.

The Bucks continued to cash in from three-point range. Three of their first four makes in the stanza were from beyond the arc, including two from Kuzma. The early barrage put them back up by 22, forcing Billy Donovan to call a timeout. From there, the Bucks were able to put the game into Kuz-control, as they ended their five-game losing streak.

Stat That Stood Out​

The Bucks’ three-point shooting was exceptional tonight. After a rough outing from distance against the Celtics on Sunday, they shot it efficiently against the Bulls. On the night, Milwaukee went 20/38 (60.5%), with Trent tying a season high in three-point makes with five.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scor...e-recap-kyle-kuzma-ryan-rollins-matas-buzelis

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

The case for a (qualified) Bucks tank

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sustained an apparent injury on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This season has been a miserable one for the Bucks, whose record will only get worse now that Giannis is out for an extended period (again). Simply put, they are a bad team that, for the first time in a long time, sits at the lunch table with the NBA’s bottom-feeders as opposed to its contenders. I don’t need to go through the reasons why—we all know them by now: team has a major talent deficit, coaching is among the worst in the league, yada, yada, yada. The question is this: what should the Bucks be hoping to gain from this season at this point? As I’ll explain, they have the option to tank with somewhat minimal downside—a unique quirk of this season. Alternatively, the Bucks could do what they’ve always done and make moves to improve the roster and compete until the bitter end.

To compete or to tank​

For me, the place to start this conversation is to evaluate the incentives for each option. Look, I think there’s at least a chance that this team could make the play-in tournament, even with Giannis playing just the final portion of the season. I wouldn’t say it’s very likely, but it’s possible. From that point, there’s no telling what the eternal play-in trio of Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami will serve up. With Antetokounmpo, I’d give the Bucks as good a chance as any to at least win the first play-in game. Maybe they’d sneak into the playoffs. Maybe they’d win a game over the Pistons, Celtics, or Knicks. But I think it’s fair to say that they’d lose the series in a noncompetitive fashion. Now, I suppose there is some level of incentive for this path—both from a playing perspective and the org’s bottom line—but neither of which I see as anywhere near important enough to override the upside of the alternate route.

Put simply, there is a significant incentive to what I would call a “qualified tank” for the rest of the season. I added the word “qualified” because Milwaukee must still keep an eye on New Orleans. The Bucks own the least favourable of their own first-round pick and the Pelicans’ pick in this year’s draft. It’s easy to assume New Orleans won’t win much this season and will stay at the bottom of the standings. I guess it’s relatively likely that it ends up that way. Still, we should remember that 1. the Pelicans have no incentive to tank, while the teams around them do (and what do you think will happen when these teams play each other?), and 2. they actually have a pretty talented roster when healthy. This is why it’s not necessarily smart for Milwaukee to try to tank every game indiscriminately.

Ideally, the Bucks lose at the same rate the Pelicans lose, and win at the same rate they win (unless it’s the very end of the season and there’s a situation in which the Bucks can move up the draft odds order by losing, but the Pelicans cannot move down by winning). But let’s be honest, it’s also completely unrealistic to think the front office could hatch a plan in which they dictate who plays from night to night based on whether the team needs a win or a loss. I get that this strategy is somewhat typical for younger teams (that also generally don’t have to worry about swap obligations), but probably not for a veteran-laden squad like Milwaukee.

My take on the situation is that the Bucks, especially without Giannis, are very bad and will lose a lot of games without needing lineup manipulation. They’ll win the odd game too, which will probably be a good thing, because the Pelicans won’t go winless the rest of the way. From there, it’s simply out of Milwaukee’s hands. All Bucks fans can do is 1. hope New Orleans loses as much as possible, and 2. hope the other bottom-feeders win, though they will be increasingly trying not to as the season draws to a close. As I’ll get into, this is the ultimate foil for any “disaster” the Bucks could run into vis-a-vis the draft.

On a broader level, though, the Bucks need as high a pick as possible, so this dance is a necessary one. I want to remind folks of Milwaukee’s daunting first-round pick outlook moving forward. Should everything stay as is (which, it must be noted, could change), the Bucks will likely not have the opportunity to control their own destiny regarding their pick until 2031. Why? Because they don’t own their pick next year, and Portland either owns their pick or has swap rights in the three years after that. If you ask me, the Blazers are likely to be better than the Bucks by that point and thus swapping for Milwaukee’s more favourable picks.

However, as I mentioned, this year’s pick swap is with New Orleans, which is obviously worse than Milwaukee (right now, at least). Sidenote: the Pelicans’ pick is owned by the Hawks, but I hesitate to even mention this because it just confuses people; the only thing fans need to know is that it is New Orleans’ and Milwaukee’s picks in the swap. Anyway, assuming the Pelicans remain a bottom-feeder, the Bucks are likely to retain their own pick since they will probably finish a good number of spots above New Orleans in the standings.

That said, even if Milwaukee finishes with a similar record to New Orleans (at the bottom, crucially), the situation could still turn out fine for Milwaukee—and actually has higher-reward outcomes than the scenario above. Sure, the Bucks would have a much higher chance of their pick being swapped, but both their and the Pelicans’ pick will have a high floor to fall back on. For example, let’s assume just for argument’s sake that the Bucks end up with the third-worst odds and the Pelicans end up with the second-worst. Both of those picks would have a floor of seventh.

Alternatively, let’s lay out a scenario in which the Bucks end up with the ninth-worst odds and the Pels end up with the second-worst, but Milwaukee’s pick somehow jumps above New Orleans’ pick to number one (see Cooper Flagg). The Bucks would give it away, which wouldn’t be great. However, the Pelicans’ pick would have a floor of sixth. Of course, the disaster scenario is that by the end of the season, the Bucks and the Pelicans have somehow swapped spots with roughly where each team currently sits. Milwaukee could give up a top-three pick and only get swapped one seventh or after. Fingers crossed that does not happen.

About the 2026 NBA Draft​

So now that I’ve gone through the incentive to tank (again, provided the Pels are also bad) from a long-term team-building POV, let’s get more specific and discuss the strength of the 2026 draft itself. Obviously, no two drafts are the same. The no. 1 pick in one draft does not hold the same value as the no. 1 pick in another draft. I mean, just compare Cooper Flagg to Zaccharie Risacher (all due respect). Notably for the Bucks, this upcoming draft is loaded, per all the experts. There are three bona fide contenders for the top pick—Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa—but the talent remains exceptional all through the lottery, first round, and heck, even second round.

From SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell’s recent mock draft:

The 2026 NBA Draft was always destined to trigger a massive tanking race. This class clearly had three potential No. 1 overall picks from the very start of the process, and all three are living up to the hype to start their one-and-done college seasons.”

“The depth of this freshman class has also impressed, with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson dominating on both ends with his high-motor, breakneck style, and Houston point guard Kingston Flemings emerging as a legit top-5 pick in his own right as the biggest surprise of the year so far.

“It isn’t just freshmen that make this draft class special. A group of upperclassmen led by Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz, and Florida’s Thomas Haugh are proving that staying in college for a few years won’t kill your draft stock in the NIL era.

With that in mind, it seems clear that the incentives behind a tank are a lot more intriguing than Ryan Rollins getting playoff reps, rich owners getting richer, and the Bucks getting a pick in the mid-teens. I believe that moving forward, whether Giannis is in the picture or not, it’s a no-brainer to get as high a pick as possible in this draft and leave this season with the best possible asset. That player can slot in as a core building block for a team with the very few of those.

Final thoughts…​

Other than the obvious concern that the Pelicans go on a winning streak, the only other part of a “tanking” plan I worry about is whether Jon Horst will actually commit to it. I don’t expect him to change much about how the team operates, including lineup manipulation (other than holding Giannis out for the rest of the season, which I absolutely think the Bucks should do for several reasons). What I do worry about, though, is Horst trying to improve the team with a trade for some reason that gets them, like, five more wins than they needed. He’s only acted aggressively in the Giannis era. Is he capable of switching speeds and recognising the golden (but admittedly complicated) opportunity in front of him?

Finally, just a note on tanking in and of itself. Look, I admit that after hoping for this team to win every game for so long, as all fans did, it brings me no joy to now be “cheering” for the opposite result (most of the time). Tanking is tough for both teams and their fans. By the same token, finishing high in the lottery is the easiest way to acquire elite talent, which is what allows you to win in this league, especially in a small market like Milwaukee. Just about every team has tanked it or will tank in the future. I’m not here to get into the whole “is tanking bad for the league?” conversation; that’s a topic that’s been covered extensively at this point. I would just say that until the NBA changes the tanking incentives—which, to be clear, I don’t think it should—teams are going to operate with those incentives top of mind. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-anal...-nba-draft-atlanta-hawks-new-orleans-pelicans

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 141, Pelicans 137

Feb 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

It wasn’t easy, but the Milwaukee Bucks picked up their second win of the week, taking down the New Orleans Pelicans in a nail biter. The win indirectly improves the Bucks’ chances of keeping their pick, separating themselves from each other by nine games in the lottery standings. Ryan Rollins led the Bucks offense with 27 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Trey Murphy led all players with 44 points on an incredible 12/19 shooting from three-point range.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

After another 20+ point performance last night against the Bulls, Rollins got into a rhythm on offense early. He scored the first five points for Milwaukee, but through four minutes, he was the only Buck to put the ball in the basket, as they trailed by six. The deficit grew to eight before Amir Coffey finally hit a three, sparking a 7-0 run from the Bucks. Milwaukee was able to stay in striking distance of New Orleans thanks to Coffey, who finished with nine points on a perfect 4/4 shooting. A corner three from Pete Nance off an assist from Coffey cut the Pelicans lead down to four, 34-30, heading into the second quarter.

After going 4/9 from three-point distance in the first, Milwaukee started 3/6 from deep. Gary Trent Jr. picked up where he left off from yesterday, as he nailed two of them. Despite the Bucks’ shooting prowess, the Pelicans matched them. Jose Alvarado hit three shots from range, keeping New Orleans ahead of Milwaukee. The Pelicans took their largest advantage of the night at nine, thanks to a 8-2 run. After the Bucks cut the lead down to four, Trey Murphy connected on three straight buckets from distance. The third came with three seconds left, sending the Pelicans to the locker room up by seven, 70-63.

Milwaukee came out of the gates swinging, going on a 10-5 opening run to cut the lead down to two points. Murphy continued to shoot the ball with authority, dropping in two more threes. Zion Williamson started to put his stamp on the game, scoring five straight points including a fast break dunk to put New Orleans back up by six. The Bucks were able to draw even, after KPJ slammed home a dunk. Milwaukee did have a chance to take the lead on the ensuing possession, but a turnover from Porter led to a Micah Peavy fast break dunk. The Pels’ three-point shooting continued to give the Bucks problems, as Jeremiah Fears hit back-to-back threes. AJ Green responded with a three of his own at the buzzer, cutting the deficit down to five, 104-99.

The Bucks finally took the lead in the fourth, thanks to an 8-0 run inside the first three minutes. Trent’s third three put Milwaukee up by six, leading to an immediate timeout from James Borrego. Murphy dragged the Pels back into the game, drilling three straight from beyond the arc to cut the Bucks’ lead down to just three points. Murphy’s 12th three of the game tied the game with 90 seconds on the clock, and NOLA re-took the lead after Williamson buried two free throws. A dunk from KPJ tied the game back up, and after Kyle Kuzma drew a charge, Milwaukee had a chance to take the lead back with 11.1 seconds to go. With two seconds on the shot clock, Myles Turner drilled what was thought to be a go-ahead corner three. Official review determined that his left foot was out of bounds when he caught the ball, giving the Pelicans a chance to win with 7.7 seconds left. The Bucks got the initial stop with 1.1 seconds left, but Kuzma threw the ball out of bounds, giving New Orleans the ball underneath the Bucks’ basket. Murphy had a contested look at the rim and missed, sending the game into overtime.

Milwaukee scored a quick five points in the opening minute of overtime. Green converted a heavily contested three, pushing their advantage to six, but Herb Jones responded with a three for the Pelicans with 2:14 left. The Bucks clung to a one-point advantage after Williamson converted a couple of free throws with 95 seconds left. Green turned the ball over with 31.6 left, but Murphy’s long three missed, and Rollins was able to secure the rebound. Yet, he couldn’t put the Bucks up by three, going just ½ from the line. NOLA had a chance to tie or win the game, but Williamson committed an offensive foul, giving the ball back to Milwaukee. KPJ’s two free throws with 5.2 seconds put Milwaukee up four, essentially icing the game.

Stat That Stood Out​

It was a full team effort out of the Bucks tonight, and that was reflected in the box score. When it was all said and done, Milwaukee had seven players finish in double figures. Only two players who played more than 10 minutes didn’t reach that mark, with Kuzma scoring seven points and Jericho Sims putting up eight.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scor...ecap-ryan-rollins-kevin-porter-jr-trey-murphy

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Giannis wants to retire a Buck, also wants to contend

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 03: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks sit on the bench during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on February 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In a pregame interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski before last night’s 131-115 win over the Chicago Bulls—snapping a five-game losing streak—Giannis spoke candidly about where his head was at as the trade deadline looms. Following some banter, Owczarski posed the two-time MVP a serious question: what do you want?

“You know,” he said. “What I want deep down in my heart is I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career and win here.” Giannis then went into his legacy with the Bucks:

“This is probably going to be the best story. In 20 years, they’re going to be talking about this story right here.

“I came here when I was 18. A human being, when is the time they have their earliest memories? Around the age of what, four, five, right? So from five to 18 is 13 years. From the time I could remember. I came here from 18 to 31, which is 13 years. I’ve spent more time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, than in my country.

“I’ve created more memories in this city than in my country. The only memory I knew from my country is sell stuff in the street, go to practice, live in fear, protect my brothers as much as I can and be a good kid, be a kind kid.

“So here, I’ll tell you what I’ve known here. I’ve known what it is to be an NBA player, what it is to make it to the NBA. I’ve learned what it is to be an All-Star player. I’ve learned how to be a champion. I’ve learned how to be an MVP. I’ve learned how to be a father. I got married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And also, legally, from the courthouse. And also, I’ve had my kids here. My father is buried here.

“So people have the audacity to come tell me and say ‘this guy really doesn’t love Milwaukee.’ I don’t love Milwaukee? Not the people that know. The people of the city know how much I love them. This city has let me be myself, let me be father, have let me [be] a husband, have let me be my own, true, self.”

Giannis then addressed the elephant in the room: his future with the team. Rival teams are trying to trade for Antetokounmpo—either by the deadline or this offseason—and by all reports, the Bucks front office is now listening. Asked if he is in on these conversations, Giannis replied flatly, “Zero. Zero. I’m not.”

Of course, the reason the front office is listening to these offers—something they had not done at any other point in GA’s career—is because of the team’s record and standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Now 31 years old, Giannis wants to contend, but can GM Jon Horst and his team make that a reality anymore? Antetokounmpo acknowledged that a playoff appearance this season is unlikely but insisted he hasn’t lost faith in Horst’s ability to build a contender around him:

“I always listen. That’s why I’m still here. I always listen and trust. But what I’m trying to say, how many chances do I have left to win a championship? So, you just gotta [be] more careful and more urgent in every decision that you make moving forward. It doesn’t change. I think I’ve listened since day one and that will never change. I have great respect, love and likeness for Jon and the ownership and that will never be different. Won’t change. But at the end of the day… you gotta look.”

He revealed what he wants most of all for Milwaukee, also acknowledging that ownership has to be aligned with him:

“They let me be myself in this city. And I ask for one thing. One. Thing. Only. To make, bring joy back. To. This. City. Because this city deserves it. We’ve been at the top, and I know we can have down years, but we have to continue to have the mindset. Period. OK. And if that’s not the case, then…”

Giannis expounded in clearer terms:

“I know what my goal is. I don’t know what their goal [is]. I know that I talk to them but I don’t think that it’s fair that to share the conversations that I talk with them. They haven’t come to the game recently; we haven’t been so good. So they’re probably upset. I bet you can, like, talk to them. Ask them, what’s your goal? What do you want to do? They might want to reveal. They might even want to… sell. They might want to do some other things. Maybe, I don’t know.

“I’ve seen the love of the people and what they wish for me. If it’s not the case, and people have different agendas within our own team, something gotta change. That’s all.”

Asked whether the recent past—the uber-successful regular seasons, the win-now trades for Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard—shows that the team can get back to that place, Giannis was noncommittal:

“You cannot say. I’ve always been, always, always, this is the NBA, I love watching it, I always make hypothetical scenarios. What if I play with LeBron [James]? What if I play with [Kevin Durant]? What if play with [Michael] Jordan? What if I play with Kobe [Bryant]? Everybody makes hypothetical (sic) scenarios. What if you could get, blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, you have to commit somewhere, right? You have to commit somewhere. And I think for 13 years I’ve committed here more than anybody, any player, ever committed.

“If that is not possible to happen, and if then you realize maybe that’s not the case and maybe they’re looking elsewhere and that’s not what they’re trying to do, then automatically you have to be in the plans of what they’re trying to do or weigh the other options. It’s normal.”

Giannis also revealed that he returned too quickly from the first calf strain on December 3rd, only to reinjure it on January 23rd in the final seconds of Milwaukee’s near-comeback against the Nuggets. He said the team told him to exit the game in the first quarter:

“I play because I bleed green. I play because I know what I’ve built here. For me, it’s a huge puzzle. It’s a huge Lego piece that I’ve built and I don’t like people taking out pieces from it. I want to keep on building as much as I can.

“What does that show? Does that show a guy that’s not gonna be here? Is that what my actions show? I could tell you whatever I want, but what does my actions show? That I want to be here. I want to be here with people that know what it takes to win.”

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-rumors/59455/milwaukee-nba-giannis-trade-deadline-jim-owczarski

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Preview & Game Thread: Putting the distractions behind us

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 23: Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Johnny Furphy #12 of the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 23, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Thank goodness we can focus solely on the Milwaukee Bucks on the court, not the trade rumors, as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight in a Central Division tank-off. Milwaukee has successfully defeated the Pacers in their previous two games this year.

Where We’re At​

Despite Shams Charania’s and Brian Windhorst’s best efforts, the Milwaukee Bucks did not trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jon Horst was able to add Ousmane Dieng to the roster, while the team parted ways with Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey. These departures won’t be too upsetting to most fans, but it will be interesting to see what transpires for this team for the remainder of the season. The Bucks have a slim chance of making the play-in with a two-game winning streak this week. Yes, it was against the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans, but wins are wins, so you take what you can get.

The Indiana Pacers are just trying to get through the season. Last year’s runner-up, the Pacers sit near the bottom of the standings as they adjust to a season missing their star player, Tyrese Haliburton. Indiana has struggled on the road, only winning three of their 23 games this year. This season might be a lost cause, but the Pacers did make a trade on deadline day, acquiring center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. They parted ways with Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks (the most juicy being this year’s first, protected both 1–4 and 10–30), along with a second.

Injury Report​

The Bucks will be without Taurean Prince (neck) and Giannis (calf), while Gary Harris (hamstring) and Bobby Portis (hip) are listed as questionable. The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin, while Micah Potter is listed as questionable.

Player To Watch​

Pete Nance has gone from just another two-way player to a likely full-time roster possibility. Nance simply plays hard and has solid basketball IQ to boot. With Coffey traded, Harris potentially out, and Andre Jackson Jr. unlikely to break into the rotation, tonight will give Nance another opportunity to show the Bucks he is worth keeping around.

How To Watch​

7:00 p.m. CST on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-game...scussion-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks Poll: Giannis stays and fans get what they want

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during a timeout in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum on February 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we took one last pre-deadline temperature check on the Giannis rumors as the typical national voices fanned the flames of him wanting out even further. Here are the highlights:

• With an even larger sample size than last week’s survey, 57% of voters still believe the Bucks were correct not to trade Giannis before the deadline. 33% thought they should have, a net increase of 67 votes.
• Surprisingly, despite reports from the usual national media sources, 6% more believe Giannis would not request a trade ahead of the deadline. Last week, 64% thought he wouldn’t.
• Nevertheless, 77% of respondents believed reports that the Bucks were listening to offers and approved of them doing so. 19% disapproved of listening to the offers. Recent reporting from several sources suggests the Bucks were neither serious about these offers nor did they even make counteroffers.
• 74% of fans polled think the Bucks will still trade Giannis this offseason, with the majority believing it will happen before June’s draft. It will be interesting to see how these numbers change in light of Giannis’ public comments about wanting to remain in Milwaukee the rest of his career.

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Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-polls/59694/milwaukee-poll-nba-trade-deadline-giannis-rumors

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 105, Pacers 99

Feb 6, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) looks for a shot against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks capped off their three-game homestand with a win over the Indiana Pacers. They finally got the monkey off their back, winning three games in a row for the first time this year. Kevin Porter Jr. was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points. Andrew Nembhard led a depleted Pacers squad with 22.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

The Bucks found themselves in an eight-point hole early on, thanks to a rough 2/6 start from the floor. Milwaukee was able to course-correct, responding with a 14-2 run to take their first lead of the game. It was all capped off by a Bobby Portis three-pointer in his first game back, after missing the last two with a hip contusion. Indiana’s bench continued to be a pain in Milwaukee’s backside, as they engineered a 12-3 run to retake the advantage. Aaron Nesmith drilled a shot from beyond the arc with 30 seconds left, giving the Pacers a six-point lead after the first 12 minutes, 29-23.

Portis made his return well-known in the next quarter. With the Bucks down by six, BP went on a personal 7-0 run to pull them ahead. The two former playoff adversaries, now turned draft lottery hopefuls, went back and forth throughout much of the second frame. AJ Green shifted the momentum to the Bucks, drilling a top-of-the-key three, putting them ahead by five. That margin grew to nine points for Milwaukee after Ryan Rollins and Myles Turner each buried threes. Jarace Walker finally stopped the bleeding for Indiana with a two at the buzzer, but Milwaukee went into the locker room up 54-47.

The Bucks continued to pour it on to begin the second half. Green buried two more three-pointers, as Milwaukee went on a 16-6 run, building their advantage to 17.

BP got in his bag again in the waning stages, hitting his patented post fadeaway, and then pulled up from mid-range in Micah Potter’s face. Those two buckets gave the Bucks their largest lead of the night to that point, going up 19. After a couple of baskets from T.J. McConnell got the lead down to 15, KPJ ended the quarter with an and-one layup, sending Milwaukee up by 18, 83-65.

While the Pacers scored the first four points of the fourth, the Bucks scored on three straight possessions, extending their lead to 20. Pete Nance joined in on the fun, throwing down a two-handed jam, leading to an Indiana timeout. Things seemed to be in cruise control, but the Bucks went cold as the Pacers went on a 15-0 run, cutting the lead to just five with 5:07 left. Rollins finally ended a four-minute and 35-second scoring drought for Milwaukee with a layup. The Pacers got the game within four, but a 9-2 run by the Bucks put the game out of reach. Rollins put the Bucks up 11 with 1:21 to go, but Indiana wouldn’t go away, trimming the Milwaukee lead down to just four with 11 seconds left. Portis scored a quick layup on the other end, officially sealing the game for the Bucks.

Stat That Stood Out​

One of the biggest storylines for the Bucks this season has been their inability to rebound, especially on the offensive glass. Tonight was a much different story, as they secured 13 in the win. Myles Turner and Jericho Sims each had four.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scor...green-bobby-portis-jericho-sims-pascal-siakam

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks waive Nigel Hayes-Davis

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 10: Nigel Hayes-Davis #21 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Chris Youngblood #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of the Emirates NBA Cup - Quarterfinals game at Paycom Center on December 10, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jon Horst and the Bucks front office have decided to waive journeyman Nigel Hayes-Davis, who got another shot in the NBA this season with the Phoenix Suns after a long and successful career overseas.

Hayes-Davis, a wing-forward combo, actually would have fitted a position of need for the Bucks. But at 31 years old and with a questionable skillset to succeed in a Giannis-led offence, the Bucks opted to put more eggs in Ousmane Dieng’s basket.

The journeyman averaged 1.3 PPG, 0.3 APG, and 1.2 RPG on 32.6% from the field and just 12.5% from three with the Suns. He had his first NBA stint way back in the 2017-18 season with three different teams—the Lakers, Raptors, and Kings—before departing for EuroLeague opportunities.

Hayes-Davis played for three teams across Europe’s premier competition: Zalgiris (2019-2021), Barcelona (2021-2022), and Fenerbahce (2022-2025). In 2025, he led Fenerbahce to a EuroLeague title, winning the Final Four MVP as well.

The Bucks now have a vacant spot on the 15-man roster as well as a vacant two-way spot. You imagine they’d be looking long and hard into converting Pete Nance—currently on a two-way deal—to a standard deal, creating multiple two-way openings. Suffice to say, there’s still a lot to play out in Milwaukee.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-rumo...s-ousmane-dieng-pete-nance-nba-trade-deadline