Milwaukee’s stunning upset on the road against the Thunder has fans buzzing

Oh how things can change in just a week and a half. The Milwaukee Bucks it looked like it had been approved for a major redevelopment project in the midst of growth Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumorsbut once again, the team kept their superstar forward at the deadline. When the 2021 NBA Finals MVP reaffirmed his loyalty to the franchise that drafted him in 2013 and announced his intention to play again this season, pro-tank fans panicked. Now, the Bucks have renewed hope.

Milwaukee cruised to a 110-93 road win against the Oklahoma City Thunder to head into the NBA All-Star break having won five of its last six games. Both teams had to overcome notable absences. Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with a calf injury, Ryan Rollins has a foot problem and head coach Doc Rivers attended the funeral. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein sat out for OKC with various injuries.

In the end, the Bucks played with more intensity. Ousmane Dieng beat his former team with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Bobby Portis had 15 points, 12 points and four steals in 29 minutes off the bench. AJ Green knocked down five 3-pointers and Kevin Porter Jr. had seven assists and three steals. This incredible cast of characters silenced the home crowd inside the Paicom Center and pushed the Bucks (23-30) a little closer to relevance.

The surge, which now has the team just one and a half games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final NBA Play-In slot, has the fan base excited.

“Yes, the money is back,” @IeliBombEnjoyer posted Ks. “The Bucks flipped the script really quickly,” @Shadi_Justin noticed. “Giannis would be a fool to leave a man who has a team” @1danNaldo thinks. “Kliche,” @TalkingBucks commented. “The second half is ours, we haven’t even got Giannis back yet.”

If Antetokounmpo returns soon, Milwaukee’s previously bleak playoff prospects could become quite promising. However, the team still has a long way to go. A downsized team can pull off wins over fellow sub-.500 teams like the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers. Beating the Orlando Magic and undermanned Thunder squads is also not worthy of a parade. Still, these victories prove something.

Bucks aren’t dead yet. They will rest up during the All-Star break and try to pick up where they left off when they face the Pelicans next Friday night.