The Milwaukee Bucks previously ruled out deadline addition Ousmane Dieng for Friday night’s game against the Pacers. Dieng was reportedly not even with the team. A few hours before tipoff at the Fiserv Forum, however, fans got an update: the newest Buck will, after all, be available to play.
Update to the update: Ousmane Dieng is available for tonight’s game in Milwaukee. https://t.co/XBACuYEeVE
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 6, 2026
Given that Dieng was only traded yesterday, it is an usually quick turnaround for a recently moved player to suit up for his new team. With Kyle Kuzma sidelined by calf soreness, there could be an extra rotation spot available to give viewers their first glimpse of Dieng in a Bucks jersey.
Dieng’s status reversed to active Friday night vs Pacers
Listed at 6-foot-9, 185 pounds, Dieng played center and power forward during his four seasons with the Thunder despite being a bit undersized for the frontcourt. Oklahoma City flipped the former lottery pick to Chicago at the trade deadline; the Bulls traded him to the Bucks a day later in a move that sent Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to Phoenix.
In 27 games for the Thunder this season, Dieng averaged 3.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 41.8/36.7/100 splits (only six free-throw attempts).
Dieng is in the final year of his four-year, $21.07 million rookie deal that never saw him become the player the Thunder hoped to get out of the 11th overall pick in 2022.
From left: Thunder draft picks Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, and Chet Holmgren pose for a photo beside OKC general manager Sam Presti during a press conference on June 25, 2022.
The Bucks will get a look at Dieng, still just 22, over the next few months before he hits restricted free agency this summer. He should have a chance to carve out a role at the backend of Doc Rivers’ rotation as Milwaukee attempts to ascertain just what untapped talent might still reside in the Paris-born player.
That chance could come as soon as tonight’s game against Indiana (13-38), with tipoff scheduled for 7 PM CT/8 PM ET. The Bucks (20-29) come in as 1.5-point home underdogs. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with a calf strain. The team is 5-14 without him thus far.
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!