Bold opening: Momentum is finally returning to the Milwaukee Bucks, but the road ahead remains full of questions.
After a rough stretch that saw seven straight losses last month, Milwaukee appears to be finding its footing again. Over the weekend, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a nine-time All-Star, alongside guard Kevin Porter Jr. returned from injuries and powered the Bucks to a 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Yet the optimism was tempered by a setback on Monday. The Bucks fell 129-126 to the Washington Wizards as Porter exited late in the fourth quarter with a lower back spasm. Porter has now missed 19 games since October due to a sprained ankle followed by knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. After the Wizards game, he told reporters that his body is still ramping up, signaling there’s more work to do before he’s fully back to peak form.
Antetokounmpo’s return, meanwhile, came about two weeks after he strained his groin in a game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. The star forward had missed four consecutive games before rejoining the court.
On Wisconsin Public Radio’s Morning Edition, Bucks Radio Network host Justin Garcia described Antetokounmpo’s comeback as surprising, noting concerns about the brevity of his rehab. Still, Garcia remains hopeful that both Antetokounmpo and Porter can rekindle the team’s momentum.
The interview below has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Alex Crowe: How does the December schedule shape up?
Justin Garcia: November was a disaster with that seven-game skid across 16 games. If Antetokounmpo and Porter stay healthy, they should be ready for both Pistons games this week. Because the Bucks didn’t qualify for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, there’s a potential upside: less fatigue and a stretch with easier matchups. They’ll face the Celtics at home and then travel to Brooklyn for a road game—the very opponent they just handled on a recent occasion.
In December, the schedule includes four stretches with two or more days off between games, a welcome break after playing every other day in November. Rest will be crucial for this group.
Alex Crowe: What is Head Coach Doc Rivers saying about the current situation?
Justin Garcia: The message echoes last season when Milwaukee started 2-8. Back then, only six teams in league history began a season that poorly and still made the playoffs. Rivers immediately asserted that the Bucks would turn things around, a confidence he reaffirmed during the seven-game skid: there’s a lot to clean up. Rebounding has been a particular issue, in part because the starting lineup has been smaller. There have been improvements, but more work remains.
Rivers also highlighted the need to defend without fouling. If the Bucks can tighten that aspect and grab more defensive boards, it should lift their defensive ranking.
Alex Crowe: Can the Bucks climb the Eastern Conference standings?
Justin Garcia: The seven-game losing streak coincided with hot runs by teams like the Pistons, Raptors, and Heat, collectively rattling off 26 straight wins. It’s still early—about a quarter of the season—so the Bucks sit just two games out of the play-in picture. Once in the mix, the difference between teams two through three in the East isn’t vast, making the conference feel very much up for grabs.
With Antetokounmpo back in the lineup, Milwaukee has as good a chance as anyone to make a push.
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