Bucks Snap Skid with Record-Breaking Shooting Performance
It was a night to remember in Milwaukee as the Milwaukee Bucks put on a shooting clinic that will be talked about for years to come. The Bucks, led by their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, snapped a four-game losing streak in spectacular fashion by shooting a franchise-record 68.9% from the floor. This remarkable feat was achieved in a 133-123 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
To put this achievement into perspective, no team had shot for such a high percentage in a game since March 13, 1998, when the LA Clippers shot 69.3% in a 152-120 win over the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks’ performance was not just a statistical anomaly but a testament to their resilience and determination to turn their season around.
Antetokounmpo, the heart and soul of the Bucks, was vocal about the urgency of the situation. “I kept saying to my teammates, ‘We’re fighting for our lives. We’re fighting for our lives,'” he said. “They think I’m joking, but I’m not joking. We’re fighting for our lives right here. Every win counts.”
The Bucks are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, which puts them on track for their lowest playoff seed since 2018. This adds pressure to every game, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the return of seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, who is dealing with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.
Despite these challenges, the Bucks rose to the occasion. Each of the eight players who took the floor shot at least 50%. Antetokounmpo led the charge with 37 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds, shooting 12-of-18. However, it was far from a one-man show.
- Ryan Rollins was a revelation, shooting 8-of-10 overall and 5-of-7 from 3-point range, contributing 23 points.
- Brook Lopez celebrated his 37th birthday in style, shooting 10-of-13 and scoring 22 points.
- The team made a season-high 58.6% of their 3-point attempts (17-of-29).
Lopez reflected on the team’s offensive resurgence, saying, “I think we were a bit disappointed in our offense the past few games. I think we got back to moving it, sharing it, trusting it, really taking advantage of our size in transition, getting the ball into the paint and just playing off that.”
Antetokounmpo, as always, was the catalyst. “I knew coming into this game, whenever I see cracks, I’ve got to take them because I’m not going to have a lot of opportunities to be aggressive,” he explained. “When I don’t have cracks, probably somebody’s going to be wide open, so I’ve just got to look to the right or the left of me and make the right play.”
Despite their shooting prowess, the Bucks nearly let a 21-point second-half lead slip away. The Suns closed the gap to four points before Rollins hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:09 left, securing the win for Milwaukee.
Phoenix stayed competitive due to Milwaukee’s 20 turnovers, which allowed the Suns to take 18 more shots and outscore the Bucks 24-3 in second-chance points. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged the Bucks’ hot shooting, saying, “My gut is they had one of those nights. I thought defensively our effort, our [will to] compete was at a very high level. … The basket was big for them tonight.”
The Bucks had shown similar offensive potential in their previous game, shooting 69% in the first half but trailing due to turnovers and defensive lapses. Bucks coach Doc Rivers emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, “We’re so close to being an incredible offensive team. We shoot 70% the first half the other night. We shot 68.9 tonight. If we can rebound the ball and take care of the ball, we’ve got a chance to break out and make a hell of a run here. We really do.”
For Antetokounmpo, the win was a much-needed relief. “I definitely needed a win,” he admitted. “I think when you win, you enjoy your sleep better. You enjoy your food better. You enjoy spending time with your kids and everything better. You enjoy interacting with your teammates more. I’m a sore loser. I’m not going to lie. We definitely needed a win.”
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
