Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Game Recap
In a notable matchup on Thursday night, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame the Oklahoma City Thunder with a decisive score of 110-93. Ousmane Dieng, the former Thunder player, made a significant impact for the Bucks, contributing 19 points along with 11 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks. Dieng was traded by Oklahoma City just ahead of the trade deadline; he had previously showcased his talent as the G-League Finals MVP when the Oklahoma City Blue clinched the championship in 2024.
Key Players Missing
Both teams were missing key players due to injuries and personal matters. The Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers was absent for the evening due to a personal commitment, leaving assistant Darvin Ham at the helm of the team. Milwaukee also played without their star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently sidelined with a right calf strain.
On the opposing side, the Thunder were deprived of their top performer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, who has been battling an abdominal injury. Co-star Jalen Williams also sat out with a right hamstring strain. Both players are slated for reevaluation following the upcoming All-Star break.
Notable Performances
Notable performances for Milwaukee also came from AJ Green, who netted 17 points, while Bobby Portis recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. For the Thunder, Isaiah Joe posted 17 points, and Chet Holmgren offered support with 16 points and 13 boards, despite their recent back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns.
Nikola Topic’s NBA Debut
A highlight of the night was the NBA debut of Nikola Topic, who had faced significant health challenges, being diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier in the season. Topic, the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, had previously missed the season due to a torn ACL. He received warm applause when he took the court late in the first quarter and managed to score two points, with one rebound and one assist across 12 minutes of play.
Game Flow
The Bucks initially took charge of the game, establishing a solid lead during the first half. Nonetheless, Holmgren’s late flurry in the second quarter kept Oklahoma City within reach as he tallied 11 points in a short span. Heading into the third quarter, Milwaukee surged ahead, restricting the Thunder to only 16 points in that frame, culminating in a commanding 89-73 lead entering the final quarter. The Bucks eventually pushed their lead to 24 points as the game concluded, securing a convincing victory.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Bucks are scheduled to face the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Thunder will host the Brooklyn Nets, both on February 20.
