Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs: Game Recap
In a disheartening matchup, the Milwaukee Bucks were soundly defeated by the San Antonio Spurs last night, marking their third consecutive loss. Previously showing signs of improvement by winning six out of their last nine games, the Bucks now find themselves with a disappointing 17-24 record, falling two games short of the 10th place in the Eastern Conference, currently held by the Atlanta Hawks. Tune in to the Bucks+ podcast for a six-minute audio recap and a detailed game summary linked below.
Player Evaluations
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Stats: 22 min, 21 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 7/12 FG, 1/1 3PT, 6/9 FT, -31
Despite a promising start against Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, Giannis found himself on an island as support dwindled, particularly from a struggling Kyle Kuzma. He excelled early but ultimately had little impact as the game progressed. Grade: D
Kevin Porter Jr.
Stats: 23 min, 0 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 0/9 FG, 0/4 3PT, -35
Once seen as a critical piece of the Bucks’ future, Porter had a notoriously poor performance. Maintaining his average could have been a sign of hope, but his zero points and inability to contribute had fans questioning his role. Grade: F
Ryan Rollins
Stats: 26 min, 6 pts, 7 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 2/8 FG, 1/5 3PT, 1/2 FT, -18
Though Rollins grabbed rebounds and assisted teammates, his scoring efficiency was dismal, reflecting a broader challenge for the team in penetrating the Spurs’ defense. Grade: D-
Myles Turner
Stats: 23 min, 5 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 2/7 FG, 1/5 3PT, -23
Turner struggled to make his mark offensively and defensively, often appearing hesitant and out of sync, especially in comparison to San Antonio’s backup center, which highlighted his lack of effectiveness. Grade: F
AJ Green
Stats: 15 min, 6 pts, 1 ast, 2/4 FG, 2/4 3PT, -25
Limited by fouls, Green’s minutes were short, yet his poor defensive habits led to a troubling performance, as evidenced by his noticeable minus rating. Grade: F
Kyle Kuzma
Stats: 22 min, 18 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 6/17 FG, 5/13 3PT, 1/1 FT, -5
Kuzma kept the Bucks afloat early with early three-pointers but faltered overall in shooting efficiency. When he is the primary offensive focus, it often foreshadows issues for the Bucks’ lineup. Grade: D
Bobby Portis
Stats: 21 min, 13 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 5/8 FG, 3/5 3PT, 1/1 FT, -15
Portis continues to display a scoring mentality regardless of the game state, contributing efficiently while some teammates struggled. Nevertheless, his presence on the floor did not translate into a favorable impact on the team’s performance. Grade: D
Gary Trent Jr.
Stats: 14 min, 3 pts, 1 ast, 1/5 FG, 1/5 3PT, -9
Previously a standout player, Trent’s decline in performance is alarming as he averaged single digits for five games straight. Grade: F
Gary Harris
Stats: 21 min, 3 pts, 2 reb, 1/1 FG, 1/1 3PT, -4
Harris demonstrated a commendable defensive performance, but expectations have shifted as he often is forced to step into a larger role. Grade: D
Coaching Concerns
Head coach Doc Rivers is facing mounting pressure as the Bucks have now suffered back-to-back 30-point losses. While he may not be directly responsible for the team’s shooting woes, the need for change is becoming glaringly evident. Grade: F (for “Fire.”)
Game Insights
Giannis kicked off the game scoring 14 of his team’s first 17 points. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, his early burst was met with a collective scoring drought from his teammates. Defensive lapses allowed the Spurs to dominate the free-throw line, resulting in a stark contrast in attempts: 23 versus 10.
As the game progressed, Milwaukee saw their hopes fade in the third quarter, where they were outscored 40-16. By the end of the quarter, the Bucks trailed by 37 points, showcasing the urgency for improvement and strategic shifts within the organization.
As they look ahead, the Bucks will face a crucial matchup against the revamped Atlanta Hawks following a brief break. Fans hope for a turnaround as they seek to regain momentum in the season.
Upcoming Schedule
Mark your calendars for the next game as the Bucks take on the Hawks, with action scheduled for noon Central Time on Peacock.
