THE BUCKS RUNDOWN
After his historic regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Superstar Forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has again been named a finalist for the Most Valuable Player Award. Despite a rocky start to the playoffs for the Milwaukee Bucks, they got some good news on Sunday to help soften the blow after a game one playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers.
After achieving historic numbers for the Milwaukee Bucks during the regular season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been recognized as one of the top three players in the league. Averaging 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 6.5 APG helped catapult the forward passed fellow NBA champion Jayson Tatum for that third position. While his season has been incredibly impactful, the Bucks still ended the season as the fifth seed. Which doesn’t bode well for a surprising Giannis-sized leap to first, if that is something that was on your ‘25 NBA season bingo card.
Currently ahead of Giannis, according to the NBA media, is Nikola Jokić, and then about a mile ahead of the Serbian is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. All three players have had spectacular seasons that have contributed to massive team success. Whether it was Giannis and the Bucks starting the season at 2-8 and still making the playoffs, Jokić averaging a triple-double throughout the season, or SGA leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a first seed and their most wins in franchise history. Despite not having a realistic chance to snag that third MVP trophy, to be recognized as one of the top three players in the association is a reward in and of itself.
The NBA will be announcing more accolades, finalists, and more achievement information later on in the postseason. This is the sixth time in Antetokounmpo’s career that he has finished as a finalist for the prestigious award.
UPCOMING
After a trampling by the Indiana Pacers in game one on Saturday, Milwaukee will look to steal this next road game before coming back home. The MVP finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo shone in that first game, but more help is needed from the supporting cast if the Bucks hope to make this a winnable series. Especially as another important piece to the Milwaukee offense makes his way back from injury, potentially in time for the start of game two.
It was a tough day to be a Bucks fan on Saturday, as the Indiana Pacers routed the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98 in Indianapolis. Multiple players throughout the game were unable to get into their regular groove: Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Taurean Prince were especially troubling in their matinee loss. That trio was only able to manage four points combined amongst the three of them. Two of those players are double-digit scorers, something the Bucks are hoping won’t become a repeat trend.
Kyle Kuzma, who has been playing well since the Bucks acquired him from Washington at the deadline, did not record a stat in 22 minutes played in his first playoff game for Milwaukee. He missed all five of his shots and did not contribute much in playmaking or on defense either. But that seemed to be the way the night went for most of the Bucks players. Except for their MVP finalist, who had a 36-point, 12-rebound double-double to go along with 3 stocks (steals and blocks).
Despite the massive loss, Milwaukee will gain back an important player and an important cog of their offense, potentially in time for the final game in Indiana. Reports are claiming that Damian Lillard has been ramping up his practice and rehabilitation in hopes of being able to be cleared for game two. In what capacity will he be playing for the Bucks? That has yet to be reported, but considering the severity of the injury that sidelined the star point guard, Milwaukee will more than likely limit his usage in his return.
Even a little bit of Dame will help with their shooting efficiency and playmaking. Milwaukee shot 24% from three last game and followed it up with 10 turnovers, even just a pinch of that Dame Time magic can have a night and day difference on how this team operates, and the Bucks are hoping to show that in game two.
