Bucks Roll Past Thunder 110-93 Despite Missing Stars

Bucks Dominate Thunder Without Their Stars

The Milwaukee Bucks arrived in Oklahoma City and startled the defending champions with their performance. The final score was 110-93. This victory marked the Bucks' second consecutive win without their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out due to a right calf strain.

New Heroes Step Up

Ousmane Dieng emerged as Milwaukee's hero on Thursday night. The young forward excelled, contributing 19 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocked shots. Imagine a defender elevating at the rim, expertly swatting away shot after shot; that was Dieng throughout the game. He played for 36 minutes and dominated both sides of the court.

A.J. Green caught fire from long-range, making impressive shots and finishing with 17 points. Bobby Portis secured 12 rebounds and scored 15 points. He also showcased his defensive skills by stealing the ball four times, swatting balls away from Thunder players like a cat playing with a toy. Kyle Kuzma added 14 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. provided seven assists to keep the offense flowing smoothly.

Thunder Missing Their Best

Oklahoma City played without their MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is sidelined with an injury and will be out for at least five games. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein also did not play for the defending champions.

Chet Holmgren attempted to shoulder the responsibility. The seven-foot player recorded 13 rebounds and scored 16 points, putting forth a solid effort. Isaiah Joe contributed 17 points, but unfortunately, it wasn’t sufficient. The Thunder struggled to find their usual rhythm in the absence of their star players.

Building the Lead

Milwaukee jumped into an early lead and maintained control throughout the game. They finished the first quarter ahead, 30-25. By halftime, the Bucks had extended their lead to 67-55. In the third quarter, they continued to build on their lead, heading into the final frame with a score of 89-73.

Looking Ahead

The Bucks improved their record to 23-30 for the season. They are discovering ways to secure victories even without Giannis on the court. Milwaukee heads into the All-Star break with momentum and optimism for brighter days ahead.