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[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Suns 108, Bucks 106

Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Bucks’ late-game offence gets them again

Poor crunch-time offence hurt the Milwaukee Bucks yet again as they drop a winnable game to the Phoenix Suns, 106-108. Giannis led the Bucks with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. KD starred for the Suns, dropping 38 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

Kyle Kuzma got the Bucks off the mark with a three to begin while also showing off his passing chops by reading the low-man rotation twice and zipping it into Brook under the basket, Bucks up 15-12 at the first timeout. Gary Trent Jr. came in and immediately got two steals, leading to four points in transition, followed by a spot-up three to give them a 22-15 lead with 4:31 left in the quarter. Both teams traded buckets from there, with Milwaukee up 30-25 after one.

The second quarter started badly for the Bucks, with consecutive Kuz TOs turning into a 6-0 run as Doc called a timeout less than two minutes in. The Bucks stabilised a bit from there, turning to Lopez on the block and attacking the smaller Oso Ighodaro. Giannis came back in and attacked a plethora of mismatches, kicking it out to open corner shooters and getting the lead to eight with 2:25 remaining. But overzealous Bucks defence to end the quarter—being too aggressive in the backcourt and needlessly doubling their stars—allowed the Suns to creep back into it. Bucks up 58-54 at half.

The third quarter included a lot of misses from both sides. The Bucks got out to a six-point advantage with Giannis and Brook working together to connect on alley-oops. Kevin Durant kept the Suns close, with 13 points in the quarter. The Bucks offence got pretty slow and sloppy, with Giannis holding onto the ball a little too much. Suns up 81-78 after three.

The start of the fourth was chaotic, to say the least. Trent dropped consecutive buckets, but Kuz had some ugly possessions with the ball in hand. Both teams had some bad misses and TOs, but the Bucks’ inability to rebound continued to hurt them, giving up their 14th o-board midway through the fourth. Kuz was having a nightmare out there, missing his fifth three of the night as the Suns increased their lead to 98-92 with 5:40 left. Rollins came in for Kuz momentarily, and Trent hit a crucial long two to reduce the lead to three with four minutes left… and then Giannis hit a three (!) to tie it at 101. The Suns scored down the other end and then went to Hack-a-Giannis; the strategy proved fruitful, with GA missing both. Then, and I am not kidding, Kuz made a corner three and-one for the four-point play to put the Bucks up 105-103 with 1:20 left. KD came down the other end and hit a tough three to put the Suns up one. Brook was then fouled for two shots with 9.6 left and made one to tie it up. Suns ball out of the timeout, Trent got on the wrong side of Booker, who caught it on the right wing and hit the mid-range shot. Lopez had a chance to tie at the buzzer after a timeout, but his fadeaway jumper was long. Suns win.

Stat That Stood Out​

The Bucks gave up 14 offensive rebounds in this one. Which just shouldn’t happen with the size advantage they had. Failure to box out and pursue the ball hurt them.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/24/...kevin-durant-devin-booker-crunch-time-offence

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Wisconsin Herd Weekly Wrap: Right on the edge

Photo by Richard Prepetit/NBAE via Getty Images

Game recaps from March 14 to 24

The Herd went 3-2 in a week (or slightly more) that started poorly but ended well. With just two games to go, they sit very close to clinching a playoffs spot, but it’ll be tight.

Wisconsin Herd vs. Cleveland Charge: LOSS (106-108)​

• Jamaree Bouyea: 15 points, five assists, 6/10 FG, 3/6 3FG
• Stanley Umude: 17 points, 7/17 FG, 3/9 3FG
• Terence Davis: 17 points, 7/17 FG, 3/10 3FG
• Henry Ellenson: 10 points, 4/9 FG, 0/2 3FG

Wisconsin really threw this game away, being up 19 at one point. This was the first time I’d watched a full game with Jamaree Bouyea on the team and, man, he’s just good. You can never speed him up, he gets to his spots at his own pace, and also has sneaky athleticism. Bouyea gets it on the fast break and, despite his relatively small stature, easily dunks over bigger players. Umude started off well but faded in the second half of this one.

Wisconsin Herd vs. Long Island Nets: LOSS (97-101)​

• Justise Winslow: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11/16 FG
• Henry Ellenson: 29 points, 18 rebounds (eight offensive) 13/28 FG
• Stephen Thompson: 18 points, five assists, 7/17 FG, 2/7 3FG

The Herd nearly pulled this one out, but not quite enough. No Milwaukee Bucks players in this one as Umude and Bouyea (how’s that for a law firm title) joined the Bucks on their West Coast road trip. However, this opened the door for NBA veteran Justise Winslow to show what he has been working on—and that he did. 27 and 11 on efficient shooting is what will get him another NBA opportunity. Ellenson also racked up the points despite not having the most efficient night, but good to get going again after a rough last game.

Wisconsin Herd vs. Long Island Nets: WIN (113-101)​

• Henry Ellenson: 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, 9/19 FG
• Stanley Umude: 21 points, 8/15 FG, 3/6 3FG
• Stephen Thompson: 21 points, 8/14 FG, 3/5 3FG
• Jamaree Bouyea: 18 points, four assists, 7/13 FG

Wisconsin exacted revenge in the second game of the baseball series between these two squads with some of their Bucks talent returning. I did get to watch this one in full, and it was quite a good game. Both teams went blow for blow for most of the night, but the Herd were just a little better in the end. Pretty solid outing for Stanely Umude, and I continue to be impressed by Jamaree Bouyea and his ability to create so effortlessly. Stephen Thompson popping up to provide supplementary scoring makes this team really hard to beat.

Wisconsin Herd vs. Grand Rapids Gold: WIN (92-87)​

• Henry Ellenson: 24 points, nine rebounds, 10/19 FG
• Jamaree Bouyea: 22 points, four assists, seven rebounds, 9/14 FG
• Stanley Umude: three points, 1/9 FG, 1/7 3FG, three turnovers

Well, my Stanley Umude agenda took a hit in this one. Goodness me. On the plus side, Jamaree Bouyea saved the day with an efficient 22-point performance. The dude just exudes competence, and you can see why he’s gotten so many two-ways with NBA franchises. And finally, Ellenson was just too big for Grand Rapids’ front line, beasting in the paint for most of the night.

Wisconsin Herd vs. Grand Rapids Gold: WIN (140-107)​

• Terence Davis: 44 points, 16/22 FG, 12/16 3FG
• Stephen Thompson: 25 points, six assists, 9/16 FG, 5/7 3FG
• Henry Ellenson: 24 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, 10/18 FG, 3/6 3FG

HOLY TERENCE DAVIS! Well, if anyone is wondering how to score 140 points in a basketball game, how about going 56/89 (62.9%) from the field and 23/40 (57.5%) from three. With none of the Bucks guys there for this one, TD had the green light. I admit, I’ve not loved Davis’ play this year, but he didn’t last that long in the NBA for nothing. And even better for TD was hitting those 12 threes. His NBA chances will largely rest on his ability to shoot efficiently from the land of plenty.

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The Herd are currently 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-15 record. Teams must make the top six to qualify for the playoffs.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/25/...p-henry-ellenson-jamaree-bouyea-terence-davis

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Damian Lillard diagnosed with DVT in right calf; out indefinitely

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Deep vein thrombosis and its medication will keep Dame off the floor for the foreseeable future

All of us awaiting news on Damian Lillard’s calf strain (as revealed yesterday from imaging, reported by Jim Owczarski of the JS) have something from the team. After getting some more info today, the Bucks just gave a medical update on Lillard:

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf. In ensuring his health and beginning the process for a healthy return to play, Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the DVT, and will continue with regular testing.

“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”

The team will provide updates as appropriate.

If you’re looking for any sort of timeline, we’re still waiting on something more concrete. Shams Charania of ESPN says he is “out indefinitely.” DVT is a common issue that affects people from all walks of life, not just pro athletes, and is potentially a dangerous condition. It’s essentially blood clotting, and chronic issues with that have affected many players’ careers, most notably Chris Bosh. However, that was a more serious condition than DVT.

Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes has an article from 2019 about DVT as it affected then-Laker Brandon Ingram. It kept him out for the final 17 games of that season, but he’s had no issues since. However, he notes that athletes who are on blood thinners are “usually withheld from sports until they are off the medication and all the existing clots have been absorbed. This usually occurs between three to six months from the start of medication.” Cross all your digits that Dame can get off the thinners sooner.

The Bucks sit at 40-31, currently good for 5th in the Eastern Conference. With 11 games remaining before the playoffs, it’s not an optimal time to be missing one of their star players (although there is no optimal time to face health issues). The hope is that Dame can return in time for the playoffs—but the aforementioned timeline doesn’t bode well.

The mixed bag of the ongoing West Coast road trip underscores the importance of Dame to this team. With Giannis as the sole star, they face a paradox: giving Giannis the ball 11 times out of 10 because he’s the main offensive threat can both galvanize the offense and annihilate ball movement. The Bucks will have to ensure that Giannis remains effective while incorporating the supporting cast—perhaps they can look into our own Riley Feldmann’s analysis of their offensive paralysis to that end. In particular, Dame’s absence opens up opportunities for our stable of guards to get more run before the playoffs, which won’t hurt. I suppose the defense will be better, but that’s not much consolation.

We wish Dame a quick and healthful recovery.

UPDATE: Sam Amick of The Athletic provides some hope!

League source says there is a great deal of optimism that Damian Lillard will return this season from the deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. More here on the Bucks star's situation, with @eric_nehm, at @theathletic.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

— Sam Amick (@samamick.bsky.social) 2025-03-26T01:00:51.786Z

Obviously, this is reminiscent of the team’s messaging on Giannis’ soles injury last spring. But that was pretty much all from Doc Rivers, who is not a medical doctor, as you might know. If Amick’s “league source” is anyone else, especially if somehow that source isn’t within the Bucks, there may be some hope.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/25/...-dvt-right-calf-strain-diagnosis-nba-playoffs

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks Podcast Roundup: Big-timers edition

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Conversations with big names around the league and from Bucks history

To celebrate their 200th episode, Kyle and Riley were joined by Gale Klappa on this week’s edition of Deer Diaries. Gale is the host of Courtside With Gale Klappa, a weekly Bucks+ audio program where he interviews Bucks players, coaches, front office personnel, and figures from the wider basketball world. He is a fixture of Milwaukee’s business and community life and also a minority owner of the team. They chat about his background, relationship with the city and team, and what led him to Courtside. Then it is on to a discussion on the continuing impacts of GM Jon Horst’s trade deadline deals, Gary Trent Jr.’s resurgence, and Milwaukee’s late-game offense. Finally, a round of rapid-fire questions and the debut of their newest segment: Gallivanting With Gale.

A special thanks to Gale for joining us this week. Speaking of Courtside, here are his two most recent editions, where he spoke with Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham and Inside The NBA Host and Milwaukee native Ernie Johnson.

Finally, Marques and Kris Johnson are joined by former Marques’ former Bucks teammates and franchise legends Paul Pressey and Dr. Lloyd Walton to pay tribute to another Bucks legend: franchise icon and co-owner Junior Bridgeman, who we sadly lost on March 11th.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-podc...am-ernie-johnson-paul-pressey-marques-johnson

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Nuggets 127, Bucks 117

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Bucks made it a game, but Jokic’s return was too much for them to handle

The shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks gave the Denver Nuggets all they could handle, even with the return of Nikola Jokic, but it wasn't enough as they were overpowered 127-117. Brook Lopez stepped up in the absence of Giannis and Dame with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Ryan Rollins had 17 off the bench. Jokic finished his day with a 39-point triple-double (10 assists and 10 rebounds) on 16/25 shooting.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

It was a rough start for the Bucks in the first 2:10 of game time, with Michael Porter Jr. nailing two big three-pointers to give the Nuggets a seven-point lead, forcing Doc Rivers into a timeout. Things didn’t work out for the Bucks much after that, as the Nuggets kept taking it to Milwaukee, increasing their lead to as many as 15 thanks to a 15-4 run with 6:20 to play in the quarter. Yet the Bucks didn’t completely let the game get away early, keeping the deficit within reach thanks to 11 first-quarter points from Brook Lopez. His efforts, including the final basket of the first frame, had the Bucks down 38-27 heading into the second quarter.

Milwaukee would get within single digits several times throughout the early parts of the second, but Porter continued his hot shooting, scoring five early points to put the Nuggets back on top by 11 with 7:22 to play. But Bucks finally made the run they had been looking for, going on an 11-3 run to bring the game within three with 5:03 to play in the quarter. Lopez continued to step up big in the first half, tying the game at 60 with a 27-foot three-pointer. Christian Braun would respond in kind for the Nuggets, but after layups from Taurean Prince and Lopez tied the game with 30 seconds left. Jokic hit a three-ball with 21 seconds to go to give the Nuggets a 67-64 lead heading into halftime.

Denver opened up the second half on a 9-3 run, thanks in part to five quick points from Jamal Murray. After falling behind by seven points, the Bucks made a run and got their first lead of the game, outscoring the Nuggets 15-6 to take a two-point lead with 4:54 to go. Milwaukee would get their lead to as many as five points, but that lead lasted all of 1:15, with Denver tying it at 88 thanks to a corner three from Jokic. The Nuggets kept on coming, with an extended 12-4 run to end the quarter, heading into the final quarter of regulation up on the Bucks 100-92.

The Nuggets kept staving off any comeback attempt by the Bucks, keeping them at arm's length. After the Bucks cut the lead down to four thanks to two layups from Ryan Rollins, the Nuggets swung it back with four straight points from the free-throw line to bring it back to eight. Yet the Bucks just kept on coming back, with the seldom-used Pat Connaughton scoring a layup and a dunk, then AJ Green hit a clutch three to put them within three, but that’s as close as they would get. The Nuggets continued to expand their lead back up to eight with 2:58 to go. The Bucks tried for one final push with Lopez and Rollins hitting shots on back-to-back possessions to make it a three-point game with 2:03 left to play. After a Payton Watson dunk, Porter hit his sixth three of the night with 1:05 left as the dagger in the Bucks’ heart. Murray and Jokic would hit two more shots in the lane to finish out a 9-2 Denver run to end the game.

Stat That Stood Out​

Michael Porter Jr. against the Bucks back in February had one of his worst shooting games of the season. He went 5/22 from the field and 2/11 from three-point range and was a -20 in plus/minus. Tonight was a much different story with 23 points on 7/9 shooting from the field and 6/8 from three. He was also a much better +11.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/26/...ic-michael-porter-jr-brook-lopez-ryan-rollins

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Evaluating Kyle Kuzma’s offense

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

How good (or bad) is Kuz on offense, really?

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of several guest posts we’ll have throughout the coming months. First is Finley Kuehl, who previously wrote for our Spurs sister site Pounding The Rock.

Kyle Kuzma has been the toughest of Milwaukee’s trade deadline acquisitions to evaluate. While Kevin Porter Jr. and Jericho Sims have established themselves as clear positives in their roles, Kuzma’s performance so far has been a mixed bag. His offense has been a far cry from what Khris Middleton brought in both the playstyle and production departments. Through 22 games as a Buck, Kuzma has averaged 14.1 points and 2.1 assists on 42.9% from the field and 29.4% from three. There have been things to like about what Kuz has brought to the table, but plenty to dislike as well. Let’s dive into Kuzma’s offensive skill set and determine just how good (or bad) he is on that end.

The Good​

Since donning the green and cream, Kuzma has impressed the most offensively with his cutting. He’s shown acute instincts for when to dart to the rim, and he’s moved well off the ball in general. As he readjusts to being a third option, Kuzma’s cutting has made him a valuable off-ball weapon even with his outside shot not falling. Defenders can’t take their eyes off him, or he will make them pay with a back cut.

Kuzma’s sharp cutting has been a release valve on broken possessions. When a teammate gets stuck in a tough spot, he gives them an outlet by finding gaps in the defense and freeing himself up for an easy lay-in. This trait is especially valuable with Giannis on the court, as the MVP attracts a ton of eyeballs when he’s driving or posting up. Kuzma can provide similar value in other ways too. In Washington, the 29-year-old was often the number one option, and with all those on-ball reps, he added a decent isolation bag to his game. When Milwaukee’s offense gets stagnant, they can toss the ball to Kuzma and let him make something out of nothing. Granted, the results of this are varied (see the weaknesses section), but when he’s in a groove, Kuzma can go get a bucket.

Just like Kuzma can be an isolation option, he absolutely has the capacity to be a catch-and-shoot threat. For his career, the former champ is a 38.5% shooter from the corner. During his younger days in LA, he showed comfort as a microwave spot-up shooter. He’s had games as a Buck where he’s found a rhythm from beyond the arc, namely when he knocked down five triples against the Warriors on March 18th. While his overall track record suggests he’s not a 40% sniper, shooting can be a strength for Kuzma on any given night.

Kuzma’s shot diet in Milwaukee’s offense has included a healthy dose of spot-up tries, and he’s been more efficient on them than he was as a Wizard. As he spends more time in an off-ball role, his shot-making should ideally continue to trend upward. This chart gives a full look at Kuz’s play type data and how things have changed for him in a new role.

@BuckAnalytics

Inside the arc, Kuzma can do damage going downhill. He has the footwork, touch, and power to put together some flashy drives. Even though his moves and approaches can be awkward, he’s much more effective in the paint than he is anywhere else.

Moving away from scoring, the second most impressive aspect of Kuzma’s offense has been his passing. The 6’9” forward is a sharp ball mover who has been unselfish in his decision-making in his new, smaller role. Combining that ability with his cutting, it’s clear that Kuzma’s optimal role on a night-to-night basis is as a connector. It’s nice knowing that he can take over games when featured more prominently, though.

The Bad​

When it comes to Kuzma’s weaknesses, the elephant in the room is, of course, his three-point efficiency. As mentioned, shooting can be a strength for him, but more often than not since becoming a Buck, he just hasn’t had the juice. Despite over 90% of his three-point tries being assisted, he’s still shooting sub-30% from outside. Many of his looks are open too. Come playoff time, opposing teams will be happy to leave Kuzma wide open in favor of sending extra help at Giannis and Dame. His cutting will help negate the negative effects of his shooting a little, as defenses can’t just completely ignore him. Still, if he’s not hitting shots, he may end up being benched in big moments in favor of Taurean Prince or Gary Trent Jr.

Not only has Kuzma not hit his shots, he hasn’t even consistently taken good ones. He’ll take tough pull-up middies or flick up prayers at the rim from impossible angles. Kuz is just kind of an awkward scorer, especially on the ball. A lot of this is a result of his athletic limitations. He doesn’t have the burst to blow by defenders, even slower-footed ones. He doesn’t have the power to bulldoze his way to the rack either. On top of that, his handle isn’t the tightest, so he can’t create separation in that way. Kuzma is a tough shot taker because he doesn’t have the tools to get easy looks for himself. He can make the tough shots sometimes, but he also has some horrendous misses.

Kuzma’s awkwardness leads to some unnecessary turnovers too, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is barely positive. He also occasionally inexplicably blows bunnies.

The Verdict​

As mentioned at the beginning, Kuzma’s offense is a mixed bag. He’s a talented inside-the-arc scorer and a microwave who can take over for stretches. He’s also inefficient in his shotmaking and selection. So, how good is he actually? More importantly, can he be the third option for the Bucks deep into the postseason?

The answer to that second question is yes. We’ve already seen him be the third scoring option on a team that won it all back in 2020. He was successful in that role for the Lakers because he had LeBron James and Anthony Davis to relieve pressure from him and allow him to focus on his strengths. Giannis and Dame are already providing similar things. Kuzma has taken many more assisted looks since joining the Bucks than he did in Washington, and he’s also taken more wide-open ones. This chart shows how he’s getting a lot easier looks in Milwaukee than he was in Washington, especially from three.

@BuckAnalytics

The biggest problem right now is that Kuz is still working on removing all the bad habits he developed as a Wizard from his game. The hoops being played during his time in DC were so unstructured that he has to settle back into being a third option on a winning team, and he has the rest of the regular season to find that comfort.

If Kyle Kuzma can channel his strengths, chances are Bucks fans will love him after the playoffs. If he can’t, we can judge him more harshly.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/27/24394142/milwaukee-bucks-kyle-kuzma-offense-nba-playoffs

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks vs. Nuggets: A valiant effort

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Down Giannis and Dame, Milwaukee loses at altitude

With the news of Damian Lillard’s deep vein thrombosis diagnosis and Giannis being ruled out earlier in the day with a foot complaint, the Milwaukee Bucks went into this game against the Denver Nuggets severely undermanned. Milwaukee fought hard but was ultimately beaten 127-117. Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while Nikola Jokić was awesome for the Nuggets with a 39-10-10 triple-double. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast Bucks In Six Minutes below.

What Did We Learn?​

I wrote after the Sacramento game that there are enough weapons on this team to the point that Doc does have options for the playoffs if guys aren’t playing well, and it’ll be on him to push the right buttons. For example, Kyle Kuzma was pretty bad last night, going 3/10 from the field with three turnovers and a -16 in his 36 minutes. Frankly, they looked better when he was on the bench. Playing him through rough stretches like that cannot happen in the playoffs; Doc must act quickly if he’s hindering the team to that degree.

Kevin Porter Jr. was also mostly bad, going 5/15 with four TOs and a team-worst -17. Give KPJ credit for saving their bacon against the Kings (and in a few other games as well), but he didn’t have it in this one. On the other hand, Ryan Rollins was excellent with 17 points on 7/9 shooting and a +17 in just 18 minutes. Options are there, and it’s in Doc’s hands as to how he deploys them.

Three Bucks​

If there were doubters, Brook Lopez proved he’s still got it.​

Putting aside the fact that last night would have been the perfect opportunity to sit Lopez, the 36-year-old seemingly wants no part of resting... and he remains an awesome player. 12/17 from the field and 2/5 from three with seven rebounds and three blocks to boot is pretty damn good.

AJ Green got out of his shooting slump.​

Green had gone 10/36 (27.8%) from deep since they played the Dallas Mavericks at home on March 5. But last night AJ went 5/9—many of them highly contested as well—to break out of that extended slump he’d been in. Postgame, Green spoke about embracing both the good and the bad of an NBA season:

“It feels good to make shots. Whether it’s a slump or [I’m] shooting 100%, I think there’s something to learn from every situation, and you’ve just got to control what you can control. So I don’t know how many I’ll make next game, but I’m going to keep shooting them, and we’ve just got to keeping finding ways to win game as a team too.”

Kyle Kuzma’s ability to impact the game was significantly hindered without Dame or Giannis playing.​

This is no secret, but Kuzma works best as a slasher-type where he is attacking off advantages already created by others. Any time they entered it into Kyle and looked for him to make a play, it went very badly, as you can see here:

Bonus Bucks Bits​

• There was a bad no-call on AJ Green with just over three minutes left in the game. Milwaukee was down six points and on a fastbreak with the numbers advantage when Peyton Watson blatantly veered into AJ Green’s path, causing him to lose the ball, and the Nuggets went down their end and scored. Doc was irate at the officials in the moment and called it a “game-changing no-call” postgame.
• Michael Porter Jr., who went 2/11 from three in the first matchup between these two teams, shot much better this time around, going 6/8 from deep (including 5/5 in the first half).
• Jokić is obviously a terrific offensive player, and I suppose he’s smart enough on defence. But man, the way the Nuggets guard the pick-and-roll with him—where they willingly put two on the ball and simply hope the backside defence can clean it up—is a little jarring to watch. Like, they don’t even really try to guard the pick-and-roll two-on-two the way the elite defensive teams try to.

Up Next​

The Bucks head home now and will face the New York Knicks on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Central. You can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or stream it on our Playback and YouTube channels.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/27/...z-ryan-rollins-nikola-jokic-michael-porter-jr

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks Tracking Poll Results: Week 21

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Fan pessimism rises in wake of Dame’s DVT diagnosis

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we asked you about where you think the Bucks will finish in the East, their chances against their two most likely first-round opponents, and the starting lineup. Of course, we also wanted to know how concerned you were about Damian Lillard’s calf strain, which was revealed several hours after the Tracker’s publishing to be deep vein thrombosis that will keep him out indefinitely. Here are the highlights:

• 45% of respondents think the Bucks will remain in the sixth seed, where they’re just a half game back of Detroit. 42% thought they could grab the fifth seed.
• 76% feel the Bucks could beat either or both of the Knicks and Pacers in the first round if their stars are healthy.
• In a number that jumped a good 7–8% after Tuesday evening, 51% of fans polled are very concerned about Dame’s calf.
• A 55-45 split is in favor of changes to the typical (i.e., with Dame) starting lineup, with about 45% of those who want a change believing Taurean Prince should be the one heading to the bench.
• Slight majorities disapprove of Doc Rivers’ job performance and approve of Jon Horst’s.

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

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/28/...a-playoffs-damian-lillard-calf-dvt-doc-rivers

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 107, Knicks 116

Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Foul trouble plagues Milwaukee in loss

In a Friday night showdown between two teams jockeying positions in the Eastern Conference playoff standings, the New York Knicks came into Fiserv Forum and left with a big 116-107 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 31 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 30 points led the Bucks.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

Sloppiness from the Bucks stood out to begin this one. New York capitalized on a slurry of mistakes from Milwaukee to quickly leap out to a seven-point advantage. The Bucks would eventually level themselves out, thanks to Kyle Kuzma sparking the offense with nine first quarter points. Former Buck Delon Wright got the nod in the Knicks’ starting five and had a strong impact to kick this one off, scoring ten first quarter points. Going into the second period, New York led by a 25-19 score.

The Knicks’ lead grew to a double-digit advantage lead immediately to begin the second quarter, forcing Doc Rivers to call a timeout. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns sitting for a majority of the first half due to his three fouls, New York’s offense continued to outpace Milwaukee’s. Led by Mikal Bridges’ 19 points, the Knicks carried a 60-49 lead into half.

That double-digit deficit? It immediately evaporated once the second half began. Ryan Rollins began to shift momentum Milwaukee’s way, utilizing scrappiness in getting boards as well as points. However, the foul trouble pendulum would eventually swing against Milwaukee’s favor, as late in the third, Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up his fifth foul. Going into the fourth, New York still held onto their lead at 81-73.

Giannis would make his return to the action in the fourth, flirting with danger with his five fouls. Despite him being back out on the floor, the hole had been dug too deep for the Bucks. They weren’t ever able to slice it to competitive single-digits in the fourth, as New York simply had an answer nearly every time down the floor. The dust eventually settled with the scoreboard reading a 116-107 Knicks victory.

Stat That Stood Out​

Initially, it seemed like Karl-Anthony Towns would be the player that’d be defined by foul trouble in this one. Early on, he immediately picked up a quick pair and then later, his third. However, that bad luck eventually shifted Milwaukee’s way as Giannis began to pick up fouls. By the third quarter, he had five of them. It was at that point where it truly seemed as if the Bucks’ chances of making a comeback were close to expiration — and ultimately, they were.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/28/...-score-recap-giannis-antetokounmpo-og-anunoby

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks vs. Knicks: Not enough gas in the tank

Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Milwaukee falls at home to New York after flirting with foul trouble

In a pivotal clash at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks were outdone by the New York Knicks, falling 116-107.

OG Anunoby’s 31 points led all scorers in this one. Mikal Bridges mixed in 26 points of his own for the Knicks to complement things.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 30 points led the scoring for Milwaukee. Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins matched one another with 20 points apiece.

Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast Bucks In Six Minutes below.

What Did We Learn?​

It’s tough to win games like this one. That’s how Doc Rivers summarized things in his postgame presser. What was he talking about? Mainly, the turnovers and offensive rebounds that the Bucks gave up. Early on, the Knicks were able to seize control thanks to Milwaukee coughing up the basketball. When the final whistle was blown, the Bucks had turned it over 16 times, giving up 26 points in doing so. In the rebound department, New York reeled in 14 second chances. Yikes. Doc’s right...it’s tough to win games like that.

Three Observations​

Foul trouble hurt the Bucks.​

I mentioned this in my Rapid Recap. To kick this one off, Karl-Anthony Towns quickly picked up two fouls, resulting in Tom Thibodeau being forced to substitute him out. He then later picked up his third. It seemed as if things were truly the Bucks’ way. The only bad thing? Giannis also began to pick up fouls. It was clear that had Milwaukee been able to rely on Antetokounmpo more, this game may have been different. However, late in the third, he had to be removed due to being called for his fifth foul. The Bucks never seemed as if they could get over the hump without him.

The Bucks did keep KAT in check.​

Dovetailing off the above point, shoutout to the Bucks for successfully containing Towns. It was clear that they had a gameplan to disrupt him and make him uncomfortable, which is exactly what happened early on. KAT did result with a double-double, but that’s nearly impossible to prevent. Especially considering how Giannis was in foul trouble and how Brook Lopez can sometimes struggle with opposing bigs, this was pretty respectable.

Ryan Rollins shined.​

Despite the loss, this was one of the shining lights. Doc summed his performance up with one word — terrific. In 34 minutes played, Rollins tallied 20 points on 8/12 shooting, including 3⁄4 from behind the perimeter. He also dished out four assists while snagging five rebounds. Although he’s not a true point guard, he made a strong impact as the starting guard. Given how Damian Lillard is sidelined indefinitely, this was promising to see.

Bonus Bucks Bits​

• Marquette standout Tyler Kolek got some nice applause in this one from the Milwaukee crowd. Off the bench, he finished with five points and five assists. He also had a nice finish over Giannis.
• Josh Hart was his typical Swiss army knife-self, coming two assists shy of a triple-double. He posted a 13/14/8 stat line.
• Doc mentioned how Brook Lopez can’t shoot just five attempts. He also noted how two of those were tough shots. Look for him to get the ball more Sunday night against Atlanta.
• It was a rough night for KPJ. In 13 minutes of action off the bench, he scored just a pair of points and turned the ball over several times.
• Speaking of turnovers, Doc was also displeased at Kyle Kuzma turning it over four times. He highlighted how that’s too much. Additionally, he noted in his pregame how Kuz needs more time to settle in as the No. 2 option now that Dame is sidelined. He continued by saying that they simply haven’t had time to practice under that impression, but will focus on it moving forward.

Up Next​

The Bucks are now off until they return to action Sunday. They’ll tip off at Fiserv Forum at 6 p.m. CST against the Atlanta Hawks. You’re able to watch this one on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or stream it on our Playback and YouTube channels.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/29/...ew-takeaways-giannis-antetokounmpo-og-anunoby

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (Central)

The Milwaukee Bucks return to Fiserv Forum, after playing five games in 10 days on the West Coast. They’ll look for their first win against the New York Knicks this season.

Update: After initially being listed as questionable with a foot complaint, Giannis is IN for tonight.

Check out the full preview here, then follow along below on Playback and on Twitter. As always, go Bucks!

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CDT.

Playback Streaming​

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/28/...ead-starting-lineup-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks vs. Hawks: Game Thread

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (Central)

The Milwaukee Bucks will look to end their three-game losing streak tonight as they will host the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum. This will be the fifth time these two Eastern Conference opponents match up this season with each team taking two of the previous four meetings.

Final injury update pregame: AJ Green has been downgraded to OUT with his sprained right AC joint.

Check out the full preview here, then follow along below on Playback and on Twitter. As always, go Bucks!

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Playback Streaming​

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/30/...ead-starting-lineup-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks vs. Hawks: Rock bottom?

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Another poor defensive outing dooms Milwaukee

In a deflating showing at home, the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 145-124. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31 points led things for Milwaukee while Zaccharie Risacher scored a career-high 36 points. Trae Young’s presence was also felt, as he tallied 19 assists.

Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast Bucks In Six Minutes below.

What Did We Learn?​

Yet again, the cracks are really beginning to show on this Bucks team. After a disappointing loss to the Knicks on Friday night, they followed up with a lethargic showing in this one. The defense simply was non-existent. Atlanta easily dropped in 82 points in the first half, exposing arguably the worst defensive showing the Bucks have put out this season. The transition defense in particular aided much of the troubles for the Bucks. In his postgame presser, Doc said how it was the first time in his career where his team shot 70% at halftime yet they were down double-digits. He called it almost impossible. Despite the strong offensive start, the defensive troubles outweighed things.

Three Observations​

Trae Young had his fingerprints all over this one, despite a poor shooting performance.​

Young has always given the Bucks fits in his career, and this game was nothing different. While his scoring was off (he’d go just 4/16 from the floor), he impacted the game with his assists. At the final horn, he had tallied 19 dimes, effectively getting all of his teammates involved in action out on the floor. He’s a superstar in this league and proved it last night. Despite not being able to impact a game as much as he’d like to from a scoring perspective, his vision and decision-making in sharing the basketball tilted things in Atlanta’s favor.

Zaccharrie Risacher frustrated Milwaukee all night long.​

You knew the talent is there with Risacher, as he was the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last night, he exemplified it, as he poured in a career-high 36 points on 12/21 shooting. A bulk of his action came against Kyle Kuzma, who was exploited by the Frenchman numerous times in the contest. Risacher connected five times from deep, with each three twisting the knife a little bit more in the Bucks’ side. This was a performance where you just have to tip your cap.

Kevin Porter Jr. had a strong showing off the bench.​

On a night where there were few positives from the Bucks, KPJ’s 28 points was one of the shining lights. In a game where the Bucks were desperately looking for any sparks, he was one of the few players outside of Giannis that was able to provide one. He’d go a crafty 8/12 from the floor, including 3/5 from the perimeter. He also utilized his strength and aggressiveness in getting to the free throw line, a department where he went a perfect 9/9. That’s the activity level that Milwaukee needs from him on a consistent basis.

Bonus Bucks Bits​

• I’ve been covering the Bucks for nearly ten years. Outside of the Jason Kidd era, I think this is the lowest I’ve seen the team. With Damian Lillard’s uncertainty moving forward, all signs seem to be pointing to another short playoff run.
• Nearly all Hawks players scored double digits in this one. The only player who didn’t was Mouhamed Gueye, who finished a point shy at nine. It’s going to be tough to win games when you’re going up against that level of balanced scoring.
• Ryan Rollins had some nice bursts. He hit a pair of threes en route to ten points on the evening. However, he was a bit aggressive, as he picked up five personal fouls.
• Speaking of aggressive, Andre Jackson Jr. saw some action. In 11 minutes of action, he totaled three rebounds and a point. It’ll be interesting to see if Doc calls his name again on Tuesday to provide a boost of energy.
• In yet another game, offensive rebounds killed the Bucks. Atlanta was able to haul in 15 of them on the night. Yikes.

Up Next​

The Bucks are now off until Tuesday, which is when their old friend Mike Budenholzer and the Phoenix Suns come to Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST on TNT. You can also stream it on our Playback and YouTube channels.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/31/...ways-giannis-antetokounmpo-zacharrie-risacher

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 124, Hawks 145

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

It may officially be the lowest point of the Bucks’ season

In an utterly disappointing showing, the Milwaukee Bucks collapsed at home against the Atlanta Hawks, 145-124. Atlanta was led by a career-high points from Zacharrie Risacher, who finished with 36 on the evening. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31 led Milwaukee.

NBA.com Box Score

The Bucks rode on the streaks of some hot perimeter shooting to a 44-37 lead after a quarter of play. Led by 14 points from Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee shot 5/7 from the arc in the opening frame. Kuzma was lights out, not missing a basket (6/6 from the floor, including 3/3 from downtown). Giannis Antetokounmpo also reached the double-digit figure after the first quarter, totaling 11 points. Trae Young had a strong first quarter with 11 points and five dimes.

The script would get flipped in the second. After having a stellar start on the offensive side of the ball in the first quarter, Kuzma failed to score a single point in the second. On the defensive side of the ball, Zacharrie Risacher had his way, pouring in 13 points in the first half. Georges Niang was a massive spark off the Atlanta bench, exploding for four threes and 17 points, tipping the table to a 82-75 lead for the Hawks. It was an absolutely disappointing defensive first half from the Bucks.

The disaster rolled on throughout the third. The Bucks looked absolutely lifeless and had no plan of making this one competitive. Defeated in transition, a lack of creativity and much more quickly gave Atlanta a 20+ lead. The body language and demeanor of Milwaukee started to fall like a lead balloon, resulting in a 118-92 lead for the Hawks after three.

The Bucks got in shouting distance midway through the fourth, putting up one last fight. They’d slice things to 12 points on two occasions. However, despite their efforts, the ship had sailed on any chances of a major comeback. Atlanta would close the door and put the final touches on a 145-124 victory.

Stat That Stood Out​

This game seemed to be over at halftime. In arguably the worst defensive performance of the season, the Bucks allowed 82 points to Atlanta, allowing them to constantly slice through their defense as if it was Swiss cheese. The first-half performance epitomized that there was going to be no path of victory for the Bucks in this one.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/30/...ecap-giannis-antetokounmpo-zacharrie-risacher

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview: Looking to end the skid

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Bucks look to end three-game losing streak as the Hawks come to Fiserv

The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum, and they will try to break out of a three-game losing streak. The Bucks come into this one with a 2-2 record against the Hawks this season, their last game coming on March 4th. Milwaukee took that one 127-121, with Giannis and Dame combining for 49 points while Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 30 off the bench.

Where We’re At​

The Milwaukee Bucks ended their 12-game stretch against playoff-caliber teams going 4-8 after their loss to the New York Knicks. They will end the season without getting one win against a top-three team in the East (0-10), and as of now only have three wins against the top three teams in the West (3-4, against OKC, Houston, and Denver). Giannis returned after missing Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets and had a solid game, going for 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Atlanta has been their typical selves, playing .500 ball over their last eight games (4-4). They had won three in a row against the Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors, but have dropped their last two games as part of a three-game road trip that concludes in Milwaukee tonight. Trae Young has been playing some inspired basketball over his last six games, averaging 26.7 PPG and 11 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field, 51.2% from three-point range (on 7.2 attempts per game), and 91.4% from the free throw line.

Injury Report​

Giannis was upgraded to probable for tonight’s game while he still nurses a left foot sprain. The new addition to the report is AJ Green, who suffered a right AC joint sprain in Friday night’s game against the New York Knicks and is, therefore, questionable. He suffered it late in the fourth quarter after Josh Hart barreled into him. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Doc Rivers said that he thinks Green is OK, but that he didn't know for sure immediately after that game. Turns out, questionable is the verdict that splits the difference. Damian Lillard, Jericho Sims, and Bobby Portis are still out as usual.

The Atlanta Hawks have an extensive injury report. They will be down five players, including Clint Capela, Larry Nance Jr., Jalen Johnson, Kobe Bufkin, and Keaton Wallace. On the positive side (for Atlanta), Trae Young is probable as he deals with right Achilles tendinitis.

Player To Watch​

Georges Niang has always been a solid role player in his nine years in the association. A dangerous catch-and-shoot player, he’s provided some much-needed offense for this Hawks team. Over the last five games, he’s been Atlanta’s fifth-leading scorer at 13.2 PPG on great efficiency (59.5% from the field and 58.6% from three-point range). Make sure to look out for him in the trash-talking department as well, seen here chirping with Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes.

Georges Niang being Georges Niang and chirping with Quentin Grimes in Q3. "If Joel was here, your ass would be in the corner. Joel here, you're in the corner. Tyrese [Maxey] here, you're in the corner."

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan.bsky.social) 2025-03-23T23:59:14.574Z

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Playback Streaming​

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/3/30/...-preview-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 133, Suns 123

Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee earns a well-needed victory over Mike Budenholzer and Phoenix

In a game that felt nearly like a must-win, the Milwaukee Bucks got the job done against the Phoenix Suns, securing a 133-123 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo did typical Giannis Antetokounmpo things, totaling 37 points along with six boards and 11 assists. Devin Booker’s 39 points served as a game-high. He also dished out 11 assists.

NBA.com Box Score

Fueled by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s offense leapt out to a quick double-figure lead in the first, forcing old friend Mike Budenholzer to call a timeout. Lopez hit a pair of threes en route to ten first quarter points. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo embarked on a nine point showing, including a perfect 5/5 from the stripe. That helped pad the Bucks’ lead to 31-19 going into the second.

That double-digit advantage immediately evaporated to start the second, as Devin Booker shot the Suns right back into the mix with Kevin Durant sidelined. Milwaukee gained control again for a brief moment, only to see Phoenix take the lead with three minutes left in the half. Despite a first-half high of 22 points from Booker, the Bucks were able to jump back in front before halftime rolled around, 60-57.

In just under five minutes, that Milwaukee lead extended to beyond double-digits after a Taurean Prince corner three made things 77-65 with 7:18 left in the quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo also began to take over sole control of things, going absolutely nuts in the quarter. After three, he sat at 30 points, including a quite effective 11/12 from the line. A 12-2 run helped Milwaukee separate things at 95-83 going into the fourth.

For as good as the Bucks had played, they weren’t able to fully slam the door until late in this one. With just over a minute to go, Grayson Allen hit a three that cut Milwaukee’s lead to just four. However, Ryan Rollins then answered on the other end with a three of his own. A Taurean Prince slam a few moments later then served as the cherry on the top, solidifying the Bucks’ 133-123 victory.

Stat That Stood Out​

So many times this season, the Bucks have struggled with third quarters. In a game where they showed signs of coughing up leads, they maintained their lead throughout the third period, putting them on the right path to victory. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo who racked up a massive stat line 37 points, six boards and 11 assists, the Bucks were able to secure a win that they were in desperate need of.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/4/1/2...core-recap-giannis-antetokounmpo-devin-booker

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Wisconsin Herd Weekly Wrap: Missing the playoffs by a game

Photo by Mike E. Roemer/NBAE via Getty Images

Game recaps from March 28 to 29

The Wisconsin Herd ended their season by going 2-0 against the San Diego Clippers. They finish with a record of 19 wins and 15 losses. Three teams above the Herd made the playoffs with a 20-14 record. Tough way to go out, especially with the number of close losses the team had this season. Nonetheless, here are this week’s results:

Wisconsin Herd vs. San Diego Clippers: WIN (107-95)​

• Henry Ellenson: 30 points, eight rebounds, 13/22 FG
• Justise Winslow: 20 points, 8/17 FG
• Terence Davis: 17 points, nine rebounds, 6/15 FG

No Milwaukee Bucks players participated in this one, which cleared the way for Henry Ellenson to put an emphatic cap on a hack of a year in the G. 30 points on above 50% shooting is not easy. Other than that, the two NBA veterans in Winslow and Davis produced, dropping a combined 37 points. Nothing more to say about this one, really. The Clippers have really struggled this season.

Wisconsin Herd vs. San Diego Clippers: WIN (107-95)​

• Stephen Thompson: 25 points, six assists, 8/11 FG, 4/6 3FG, 4/6 FT
• Stanley Umude: 31 points, 11/20 FG, 4/10 3FG, 3/3 FT
• Jamaree Bouyea: 16 points, 12 assists, 5/10 FG, 2/6 3FG
• Henry Ellenson: 20 points, six assists, nine rebounds, 8/12 FG

The Herd had two-ways Umude, Bouyea, and Nance back for their final game, but it was Stephen Thompson who led the way. Thompson was awesome in this one with his efficient shot-making while also getting a few cheap ones at the line. Stanley Umude started off a little slow but really got going in the second half, while Jamaree Bouyea was the ultimate floor general all night long. All in all, a really nice way to end the season for a Herd team that fought until the bitter end.

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In a competition where the top six from each conference make the playoffs, the Wisconsin Herd finish in eighth. Thanks to all the readers who followed my coverage of the Herd this season!

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/4/2/2...llenson-jamaree-bouyea-stanley-umude-playoffs

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

A less than warm welcome: Mike Budenholzer returns to Milwaukee

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Bucks opt for a quick graphic in Coach Bud’s first game back in Milwaukee as the head coach of the Suns

Whenever an iconic player returns to their former franchise for a game, they are typically treated with a montage of some of their best moments with that team. A recent example is the Chicago Bulls celebrating Derrick Rose Day on Jan. 4, when they took on the New York Knicks. They played a full 20-minute video of Rose’s former teammates, reporters, current NBA players, and a host of others to talk about the legacy of Rose in Chicago and the NBA. While Rose did win an MVP and brought the Bulls back to relevance post Micheal Jordan, he never won an NBA title and only made one conference finals appearance during his prime (usually stopped by injuries or LeBron James).

It’s harder to make a highlight montage of a coach, with no flashy dunks or passes to comb through. But you would expect the head coach of a title team to receive a tribute video of some kind: moments of them yelling, celebrating, talking with the team in the huddle, and their best moments during the championship parade. Even a franchise as storied as the Los Angeles Lakers played a video for former head coach Frank Vogel when he returned to LA as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. The current head coach of the Suns, Mike Budenholzer, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years, did not receive that same honor. In his first game back in Milwaukee, all he was given was 10 seconds of a graphic that screamed “Graphic design is my passion:”

Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shared the following:

The #Bucks did not do a tribute video for Mike Budenholzer in his first appearance back at Fiserv Forum. He led the team to its first title in 50 years & took them to one other conference finals. None other than Giannis Antetokounmpo noticed, and said he was surprised to not see one. #NBASky

— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-04-02T05:20:30.180Z

As mentioned above, Giannis seemed surprised that his former head coach did not receive a tribute video, telling the below to Eric Nehm of The Athletic postgame:

I thought he was going to have a tribute video. It’s not hard. They had this video on Twitter. It’s like 30 seconds, he was in the dark and flamers were coming out. They had an incredible video. I thought they were going to play a video for him and they didn’t, which is surprising to me. We were the three times No. 1 team in the NBA, two times No. 4 team in the NBA, won a championship, one time in the Finals, so a lot of winning games, so I felt like it would be a two-minute, three-minute - okay maybe not two minutes, I’m exaggerating - maybe 45 seconds, I don’t like him that much (smiles). Maybe a 30-second video of him being the coach.

Budenholzer took a long road to Milwaukee. After spending 17 seasons as an assistant coach under San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, Budenholzer spent five seasons with the Atlanta Hawks before coming to Milwaukee for the 2018-19 NBA season. Under his tutelage, the Bucks went from a fringe playoff team under Jason Kidd to the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 60-22, with Giannis capturing his first of two back-to-back MVPs and Budenholzer winning his second Coach of the Year award. Milwaukee would move past the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics with a record of 8-1 through the first two rounds, before infamously losing the the Toronto Raptors in in six games after going up 2-0.

Playoff failure continued into Bud’s second season, with the Bucks finishing 53-12 before the season was suspended due to COVID-19. After handling the Orlando Magic in five games, they were torn apart by the Miami Heat on their way to the NBA Finals in five games (look for them again later). Although Bud’s teams had spectacular regular seasons, it wasn’t until his third year that the playoff magic finally came. After exacting their revenge on the Miami Heat in round one, they battled in an iconic seven-game series with the Brooklyn Nets in round two. Khris Middleton saved the day in the Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks after Giannis went down. After falling behind 2-0, the Bucks won four straight games to end their 50-year title drought against the Suns.

Don’t forget the man who pioneered this move.

— Jim Kogutkiewicz (@jimmyfk.bsky.social) 2025-02-10T03:13:47.515Z

Primed with a core of Giannis, Middleton, and the newly acquired Jrue Holiday, they seemed on track for a potential dynasty. Yet the injury gods dashed those hopes away in what would end up being his final two seasons in the cream and green. Middleton injured himself against the Bulls in round one in 2022, leaving Giannis and Jrue to try and take down the Celtics, falling in seven games. Then came the final death nail against a familiar foe. In the 2023 playoffs, the Bucks were rolling as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, with their third playoff series in four seasons against the 8th-seeded Miami Heat. While Middleton played in all five games and led the Bucks' offense in scoring, Giannis was limited to just three games. Behind the heroics of Jimmy Butler and the power of friendship and “culture,” Miami defeated the Bucks in five games.

Although you can debate the validity of firing Bud just two seasons after winning a championship (losing two of his best players in the middle of playoff series both seasons), the way the Bucks handled the timing of his firing drew much criticism. On April 30 of that year, then Lakers head coach Darvin Ham revealed to reporters that coach Bud’s brother had died in a fatal car crash the morning of game four against the Heat on April 24. The Bucks were eliminated two days later and just eight days after that, on May 4, the Bucks parted ways with Budenholzer. As someone who has lost close family members, I cannot fathom trying to coach an NBA game, let alone a playoff series where you’re down 2-1, while dealing with the death of a sibling. Although Bud did not have the best track record in the playoffs, 2023 was the only year during his tenure that the Bucks failed to make it out of round one. Considering the circumstances of his personal life and missing Giannis for two games, it might not have been the best work by the Bucks brass.

After taking a year off of coaching in 2023-24, Bud was brought on by the team he defeated in the Finals, the Suns, after they fired Frank Vogel. The Bucks traveled to Phoenix for their first game against Phoenix. It was an awkward set of events pre-game in the desert, with Bud not taking any questions from the media outside of the Suns TV Network sideline reporter. Owczarski reported that and even said that he raised his hand twice but was ignored by the Suns’ PR team.

Phoenix PR didn’t allow us to ask Mike Budenholzer any pregame questions. But their sideline reporter did.

— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-03-25T00:29:28.652Z

Things seemed to get better when the venue switched to Milwaukee, with Bud answering Nehm’s question about coming back to Milwaukee. At the game itself, Bud seemed like Bud. He seemed to joke with Giannis a bit during the game, and they seemed to exchange cordial words afterward. But the game also featured a segment where Jim Paschke—you know, the guy whose last year of 35 for the Bucks involved calling Bud’s run to the title play-by-play—introduced a bunch of OTHER famous former Bucks who happened to be in town. It was a pretty stacked lineup by Bucks’ standards, including Paul Pressey, Bobby Simmons, Desmond Mason, Michael Redd, and Brandon Jennings. The only thing missing? A championship. Watching it unfold live was very weird and seemed like a good opportunity to honor Bud, but that didn’t happen.

I don’t know what went on between the Bucks and Horst behind the scenes .I don’t know if it had anything to do with what happened on Monday night or if this was just a poorly planned event by the Bucks' event staff. But we should all agree that Bud deserved his moment to be honored with something more than a graphic. Love or hate him, call him a master at his craft or a hack who got lucky to have Giannis, there’s no denying that he is one of the best coaches in Bucks history and was an internal part of the story of this franchise. Without him, the championship drought may still be ongoing into its 54th year. Hopefully the Bucks will rectify this situation at some point down the road, but in the short term, it’s a flat-out slap in the face to Budenholzer and what he did for the Milwaukee Bucks and the city itself.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/4/2/2...ukee-bucks-phoenix-suns-giannis-antetokounmpo

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview: Disappointment bowl?

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Two teams that came in with high expectations now find themselves in very different spots

The Milwaukee Bucks attempt to win two on that trot as they face the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. Somehow, the Bucks still are a realistic chance to grab the five-seed, while the Sixers are… not trying their hardest to win, shall we say. Milwaukee has beaten Philly in all three games this season.

Where We’re At​

The Bucks just snapped a four-game losing streak, which began at the end of their West Coast trip against the Phoenix Suns and concluded at home on Tuesday night against those very same Suns. Sandwiched in between were Ls to the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks. The win against the Suns was both encouraging (they shot a franchise-record 68.9% from the field) and worrying (they committed 18 TOs, gave up 15 offensive rebounds, and shot 18 less FGAs than the Suns).

As I foreshadowed above, the Sixers are tanking their asses off. Quentin Grimes has been doing his best to have them win a few games, but to no avail—they’ve lost nine straight. Philly’s roster looks closer to a G League team than an NBA team at this point (and I would know). Moving on.

Injury Report​

Same injury report as the last game for the Bucks. Lillard (right calf deep vein thrombosis), Sims (right thumb UCL sprain), and Portis (league suspension) are all out. AJ Green (right AC joint sprain) is questionable, and Giannis (left foot sprain) is probable.

Goodness me. OK, the following players are out for the 76ers: Andre Drummond, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Guerschon Yabusele is questionable.

Player To Watch​

Like I mentioned above, Quentin Grimes has been going crazy for these guys. Since he got to Philly, he’s averaging 22 points and 4.3 assists on 38% from three. If the 76ers are any chance to win tonight, Grimes will need to be really good.

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Playback Streaming​

We are streaming the game live on our Playback and YouTube channels. Read on to find out how you can get NBA League Pass on us!

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/4/3/2...-preview-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Rapid Recap: Bucks 126, 76ers 113

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Not the win we wanted, but the win we deserved.

The Milwaukee Bucks eventually defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-113. Giannis stuffed the stat sheet with a 35-17-20 triple double while Adem Bona scored a career high 28 points.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

The Sixers started out hot inside (Adem Bona) and out (Jared Butler), forcing the Bucks to call a timeout down 15-6. Milwaukee played smarter without Giannis to get within four, but a Philly run ballooned their lead to 17. A three-pointer from AJ Green ended a 13-point run from the Sixers for a “respectable” 39-25 game after one.

Much better to start the second: a 15-point run for the away team (18 across quarters), featuring heady improvement on both sides of the ball. They would mostly keep a single-digit lead through the middle of the quarter, with Philly trading off between Quentin Grimes buckets and turnovers. It was... frustrating, to say the least, but Milwaukee would end the half with a 61-59 advantage.

The muddling would continue in the third. A 10-point run propelled the Bucks to a game-high lead of 10, but it evaporated quickly. Then again, minus the evaporation: muddling and another good run, ending the frame with a 96-87 advantage. A much better couple of quarters from Giannis, earning a triple-double for his trouble, and nice minutes from Gary Trent Jr. as well.

A mixed bag of Giannis kept the Bucks in-front to start the final quarter. They would finally grow their lead to double digits, hitting 16 in the middle of the frame. Nick Nurse got ejected LOL. Milwaukee would play with their food for a little after that before putting their foot on the gas and leaving Philadelphia with a win.

Stat That Stood Out​

Giannis registered a career high 10 assists. Exactly what you need sans Dame.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/2025/4/3/2...l-score-recap-giannis-antetokounmpo-adem-bona