The Milwaukee Bucks flew out of Brooklyn after suffering a 127-82 loss to one of the worst teams in the league. It wasn’t close at halftime, and it only got worse. In fact, their night could not have ended in more demoralizing fashion. Incredibly, the Bucks went the final 7:05 of game time without scoring a point.
Bucks’ clunker continues Giannis-less struggles
Milwaukee lost the final period 28-11 overall, but the most embarrassing part is how it ended. The game was already out of reach entering the fourth quarter. After a Jericho Sims dunk cut the deficit to 32, all the air went out of the Bucks’ tires.
Of the four Bucks who scored in the final frame, Sims led the pack with four points.
In the last seven minutes of action, Milwaukee only got off nine total shots, a feat in its own right. The offense turned the ball over four times. Despite the team’s efforts to minimize speculation, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade drama looms large. The day before the unofficial start to trade season, December 15 (when recent signees become eligible to be moved), it was as uninspiring a performance as the most pessimistic fan could have imagined.
All hope is not lost, however, The loss drops Milwaukee to 11-16 overall, which is still 10th in the Eastern Conference. If the Bucks can stay afloat while Giannis heals up from a calf injury, they could still be buyers at the deadline. Unfortunately, they haven’t shown themselves capable of winning in his absence. That couldn’t be clearer that in a 45-point defeat to the now 7-win Nets.
Dec 14, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers looks on during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Bucks are now 3-11 over the last month. Since Giannis’ most recent injury, they are 2-3. Previously, they went 0-5 during his absence with a groin injury (counting the game he got hurt, in which he played just 13 minutes).
One thing is certain. To have any kind of chance with the Greek Freak sidelined, multiple players will have to step up. Gary Trent Jr. led the team with 20 points on Sunday, and he has been heating up – a good sign. It didn’t help that Kevin Porter Jr. went just 2-13 from the field for five points. With how important he is to the offense – with or without Antetokounmpo – that kind of outing from him figures to be a death sentence most nights.
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