The Milwaukee Bucks are back in action tonight at the Fiserv Forum, taking on the Los Angeles Clippers after the All-Star break. After nearly a week of rest, the Bucks will look to shake off their recent struggles and build momentum for the final stretch of the season. Their last game was on February 12, when they pulled off an impressive win over the Minnesota Timberwolves despite being without their superstar duo—Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. But let’s not sugarcoat it—the Bucks limped into the break with a 4-7 record in their last 11 games, including a tough loss to the Clippers back on January 25 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Can Milwaukee Get Back on Track?
The big question is whether the Bucks can turn things around. Sitting at 29-24, they’re still in a solid playoff position, but their inconsistency has raised concerns. Meanwhile, the Clippers, with a 31-23 record, have been playing solid basketball and will look to make things tough for Milwaukee.
But here’s something for the Bucks faithful to get excited about: Giannis Antetokounmpo is back in action! Though he’s on a minutes restriction, having the Greek Freak on the court is always a game-changer. Damian Lillard is also suiting up, though he was listed as questionable after just returning from a calf strain suffered on February 5 in Charlotte.
Bucks Battle Back After Slow Start
The game didn’t start off in Milwaukee’s favor. It seemed like the team was still shaking off some All-Star break rust, missing seven of their first nine field-goal attempts. The Clippers took advantage, quickly building a lead. However, the Bucks clawed their way back, going on a late 7-2 run to momentarily take a 22-21 lead. The Clippers responded with a pair of three-pointers, but Kyle Kuzma wasn’t having it—he nailed an unbelievable three-quarter court shot at the buzzer to bring the Bucks within one at 29-28. Talk about a momentum shifter!
Kuzma wasn’t just lucky on that shot—he had already drained three triples in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, Giannis eased back into action, playing five minutes and scoring three points.
A Second-Quarter Surge
The Bucks truly found their rhythm in the second quarter. It all started when Brook Lopez caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down three three-pointers, including two back-to-back that capped off a dominant 17-5 run. That turned a one-point deficit into a seven-point lead heading into halftime, with Milwaukee leading 57-50.
Meanwhile, the Clippers went ice-cold during that stretch, making just two of their eight field-goal attempts and committing a costly turnover. Damian Lillard, who had been quiet early on, finally got on the scoreboard with a three-pointer with 2:28 left in the quarter. By halftime, Lopez and Kuzma led the way for Milwaukee, each tallying 11 points. The Bucks had already drained 12 three-pointers—clearly, the deep ball was their weapon of choice tonight!
A Big Blow: Bobby Portis Suspended
In unfortunate news for the Bucks, Bobby Portis Jr. has been hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. This is a massive loss, as Portis has been a key contributor off the bench. So far this season, he has missed seven games, and the Bucks have struggled without him, going just 2-5 in those matchups. Now, Milwaukee will have to navigate an extended stretch without one of their most important players.
This leaves the Bucks with limited depth in the frontcourt. If Giannis isn’t at full strength, Milwaukee will have to rely heavily on Brook Lopez, 6-foot-10 Jericho Sims (who has yet to play for the team since being acquired at the trade deadline), and 6-foot-9 Kyle Kuzma to handle the big-man duties.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
With the team battling injuries and suspensions, here’s a look at the Bucks' current status report:
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Bobby Portis Jr.: Out (league suspension)
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Giannis Antetokounmpo: Questionable (left calf strain)
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Damian Lillard: Questionable (right hamstring strain)
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Andre Jackson Jr.: Questionable (right wrist sprain)
Projected Starting Lineup:
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Guards: Ryan Rollins, Andre Jackson Jr.
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Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince
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Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks' Record Without Giannis
Milwaukee has had to navigate multiple games without their franchise player, and their record without him stands at 6-6 overall. Before the All-Star break, he missed six straight games, and the team went 3-3 during that stretch. While the Bucks have proven they can hold their own without him, there’s no doubt they’re at their best when he’s on the floor.
Game Details & Betting Odds
If you’re looking to catch the action, tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson, and Melanie Ricks calling the game.
For those interested in the betting side of things, the Clippers are slight favorites heading into the matchup. According to BetMGM, Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 227.5 points. Given Milwaukee’s three-point shooting and the Clippers’ offensive firepower, this could turn into a high-scoring affair.
Can the Bucks Flip the Script?
As the Bucks return to the court, the stakes are high. They need to find consistency and get back into the win column if they want to secure a strong playoff position. The return of Giannis and Lillard should provide a major boost, but it will take a full team effort to topple the Clippers, especially with Portis out of the lineup.
So, will Milwaukee start their post-All-Star break stretch with a bang, or will the Clippers spoil the party at Fiserv Forum? We’ll find out soon enough!
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