The Milwaukee Bucks are 21-29 on the season and are riding a three-game win streak. This week, they play three games on the road to close out the first half of the season before the NBA All-Star Break. The first two of these games will come against the Orlando Magic while the last is against the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Indeed, the Bucks have not given up on what has been, to this point, a disappointing year. They signed guard Cam Thomas after he was waived by the Brooklyn Nets in hoping that a change of scenery will unlock the former 20-point a game scorer that he was.
Additionally, it sounds like the Bucks will be getting Giannis Antetokounmpo back a bit earlier than initially expected.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could return right after the NBA All-Star Break
Jan 15, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
The frequent absence of Giannis from the Bucks’ lineups this season has certainly not helped their struggles. Unfortunately, he has now missed significant time with calf injuries twice this season. Currently in the midst of rehabbing from his latest injury, Giannis is hoping to come back to the floor for Milwaukee after the All-Star Break:
Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be back right after the All-Star break, per @espn
“Antetokounmpo could be aiming to come back on the shorter end of his projected window: Four weeks from his initial injury would be Feb. 20, the team’s first game following the All-Star break.” pic.twitter.com/XjI5U6S6Dx
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 9, 2026
As one can see from the post above, Giannis is hoping to return to the floor on February 20 against the New Orleans Pelicans, which is their first game after the NBA All-Star Break.
This follows rumbling that the two-time NBA MVP was hoping to be healthy enough to play in the All-Star Game himself after previously being deemed too injured to participate.
Of course, Giannis was not traded at last week’s deadline, and many analysts wondered if the Bucks might shut him down for the rest of the year. The reasoning for this, in their minds, was that the team could then tank and get a high draft pick to pair with Giannis next season (if they do not trade him during the summer).
However, the fact that Milwaukee is not shutting Giannis down, along with their pickup of Thomas, indicates they have not given up hope of getting back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
This is, of course, in line with what Giannis has said he wants from the Bucks in the past: to be committed to winning.
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