The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the San Antonio Spurs 119-98 Thursday night and it wasn’t nearly that close. Down by as many as 39, the Bucks closed the gap with a 32-13 fourth quarter with both sides’ starters pulled. The game was so out of hand that Ryan Rollins and Stephon Castle led their respective teams with 26 minutes played.
Despite the late “surge,” the 21-point loss authored a piece of franchise history the players would rather not have made.
The Bucks lose back-to-back games by a combined margin of 54 points. This is the largest margin over two games in franchise history. The previous high was 48, last done in 1983
— Justin García 🎙 | @justingarcianba.bsky.social (@JustinGarciaNBA) January 16, 2026
Hoping for a bounceback, Bucks throw up another brick instead
That 1983 team, at least, actually had a good year, amid a decade-plus stretch where the Bucks finished above .500 and made the playoffs every season from 1979-80 through 1990-91.
That hasn’t been the case for this year’s team. Coming off a 139-106 home humiliation versus the Timberwolves, the Bucks sought some feel-good momentum to carry into a weekend off before their next game Monday. Instead, the nightmare repeated itself. It’s the latest unflattering feat in a season full of frustration.
Jan 13, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is helped up by guard Kevin Porter (7) after a foul in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Bucks now sit 17-24, slipping further and further back of the Bulls for the final play-in spot. The deficit has now reached 2.5 games despite Chicago’s own recent slump.
On the road they are just 8-14, and 9-10 at home. Tuesday night saw the home crowd rain down boos in response to a 31-point halftime hole. Mercifully, Fiserv Forum hopeful were spared the third-quarter onslaught in San Antonio on the road. After the Bucks stayed within shouting distance at the break, down by 13, the Spurs won the third period 40-16.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 21 points in 22 minutes; Ryan Rollins added seven assists. Only three Bucks – Giannis, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis – reached double figures in scoring. Kevin Porter Jr. went scoreless on 0-9 from the field. Doc Rivers deployed all 15 players at his disposal. 13 players spent at least 10 minutes on the floor. It was just that kind of game.
Dec 18, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Bucks next travel to Atlanta on January 19 for Martin Luther King day. Hopefully the four-day rest does them good. In this instance, though, one would almost prefer a quicker turnaround for a chance to wash the bad taste away.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!