Prior to losing in New York on Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks had not dropped seven straight since 2013-14 when Giannis Antetokounmpo began as a 19-year-old rookie. At 8-12, this year’s team has slipped two games behind the Bulls for the 10-seed. If the season ended today, they would miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, breaking their streak of nine straight appearances and nine straight winning seasons.
After a promising start, things are on the verge of going off the rails, and not just because Giannis missed four games with a groin injury. They lost all four games without him but also last night, the game he got hurt, and the game before that one. Throw out the Cavaliers game when he suffered the injury and the Bucks are 7-6 when Giannis plays. Hosting Brooklyn on a back-to-back, it’s not too early in the schedule to call the Bucks desperate for a W.
Can must-win games come in before December? Bucks could be facing one on Saturday
The good news, at least, is that the betting market does not see them extending their dismal streak any longer against the 3-15 Nets. With both Giannis and Kevin Porter Jr. questionable to play, the Bucks come in as 10.5-point favorites as of late Saturday afternoon. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.
Nov 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
That line would seem to suggest that Giannis has a fair shot to play, even with the Nets being as bad as they are and with the Bucks getting a few points as the home team. He has already expressed his determination to exceed the 28 minutes he was limited to in his first game back from injury.
Milwaukee needs this one badly. It seemed that they had avoided last season’s slow start, a 2-8 hole from which they had to dig out of. Their recent stumble, however, has dashed any such comfort. Even if they avoid another loss versus Brooklyn, in a surprisingly competitive Eastern Conference, the Bucks will be in real jeopardy of snapping their postseason and above-.500 streaks if they don’t start stringing wins together soon.
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