The first game of the Milwaukee Bucksafter Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a groin injurynearly produced a positive result for Myles Turner and the rest of the healthy bodies on the roster. Without the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Milwaukee kept in step with the Philadelphia 76ers, even forcing overtime on Thursday before ultimately falling prey to Tyrese Maxey and companyto the tune of a 123-114 score at Fiserv Forum.
With the loss, Milwaukee’s losing skid is now up to three games.
But if there’s a positive takeaway from that contest for the Bucks, it can be the play of guard Ryan Rollins, who continues to shine on the floor.
Rollins led all Milwaukee players with 32 points on 13-for-26 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. He also had 14 assists, six rebounds and a steal in 40 minutes of work.
Bucks’ Rollins for NBA Most Improved Player?
Nov 20, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee guard Ryan Rollins (13) looks to pass the ball away from Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) in the first overtime at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
While his numbers went for naught, he definitely earned himself more attention and praise, including from his teammates.
Myles Turner, for one, seems to believe that the former Toledo Rockets starbelongs in the Most Improved Player Award conversation, at least.
“He’s making a big case for himself for being most improved player,” Milwaukee’s star big man, who tallied 14 points versus the Sixers, said after the game, via the team’s official X account.
The 23-year-old Rollins has become a revelation in the 2025-26 NBA season to the benefit of Milwaukee, which signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract in 2025. On the season, Rollins is averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor. He stands to get more opportunities to shine going forward–or at least until Antetokounmpo returns from injury.
Nov 20, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee guard Ryan Rollins (13) drives for the basket against Philadelphia forward Paul George (8) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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