After enduring a seven-game losing streak last month, the Milwaukee Bucks are finding their rhythm on the court again.
Over the weekend, nine-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. returned from injuries to lead the team to a 116-99 win against the Brooklyn Nets.
But, was it short-lived?
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
On Monday, the team lost 129-126 against the Washington Wizards, after Porter walked off the court in the final quarter with a lower back spasm.
Porter has missed a total of 19 games since October after a sprained ankle and then knee surgery for a torn meniscus.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr., left, handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. Kayla Wolf/AP Photo
He spoke to reporters after the Wizards game and said, “I think it’s just my body still trying to ramp up.”
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo’s latest return marks nearly two weeks since he strained his groin during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the end, he missed four consecutive games.
On WPR’s “Morning Edition,” Bucks Radio Network host Justin Garcia called Antetokounmpo’s comeback surprising, saying there’s added concern because of his short recovery time.
But Garcia remains hopeful that Antetokounmpo and Porter can bring momentum back to the team.
The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Alex Crowe: What’s the December schedule looking like going forward?
Justin Garcia: November was a disaster. You had the seven game losing streak. You played 16 games. Knock on wood, Antetokounmpo and Porter are back for both Pistons games this week.
Then, because the Bucks didn’t qualify for the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup for the first time in its existence, it might actually be a good thing because it gives you two opponents that are easier matchups. You get the Celtics, but that’s a home game. Then, your road game is against the Brooklyn Nets that we just saw the Bucks run off the court.
In December, they have four stretches where they will have at least two days off in between games. After going every other day throughout the month of November, rest is going to be important for this group.
AC: What is Head Coach Doc Rivers saying about this?
JG: It was pretty similar to last year when the Bucks were 2-8. At the time, only six teams in the history of the league had qualified for the playoffs with a start that poor. We heard Doc immediately say, “We are going to make the playoffs.”
It was a similar message during the seven game losing streak. He really expressed that there is a lot to clean up. The Bucks have not been a good rebounding team this year. Part of that is they’re playing smaller with their starting lineup. They’ve gotten better.
Doc Rivers also expressed the need to defend without fouling. If you do that and you get more defensive rebounds, it’s going to push the needle on your defensive ranking.
AC: Do the Bucks have a chance to move up in the Eastern Conference?
JG: Unfortunately for the Bucks, their seven game skid coincided with a couple of teams going on runs in the opposite direction. Last week, the Pistons, Raptors and Heat had a combined 26 game win streak.
We’re only a quarter of the way through the season and they’re two games back of getting into the playing tournament mix. Once you get in there, there is not a whole lot of separation between teams two through three in the Eastern Conference.
It feels like this is a conference that is really up for grabs. I think the Bucks with Antetokounmpo have as good a chance as anyone.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.