The Milwaukee Bucks fell to 16-14 on the season with their 116-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. While they trailed for the entire first half, they were able to keep it close and took the lead at multiple points in the third and fourth quarters. Unfortunately, sloppy play in the final five minutes of the game, once again, turned out to be the difference and Chicago was able to pull away late.
Khris Middleton had a costly turnover in crunch time, but otherwise played a solid game with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He was also a respectable 8-15 from the floor (4-6 from three) and 1-1 from the free throw line. Fortunately, he also avoided major injury when he landed on Lonzo Ball’s foot on a three-point attempt. Ball was whistled for a flagrant foul on the play.
Brook Lopez had a solid game as well with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Made Franchise History vs the Chicago Bulls
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, they were without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo again due to an illness. On the bright side, they did see eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard return to action for the first time since the NBA Cup Championship game. He had missed the previous four games with the same illness.
Lillard put up 29 points, six rebounds, 12 assists, and two steals in his return to the court. Notably, he did not commit a single turnover, and that is what made this night historic for him and the Bucks franchise:
Damian Lillard tonight:
29 PTS
6 REB
11 AST (0 TOV)First Buck in franchise history with multiple 25/10a games on 0 TOV. pic.twitter.com/2TWq1MpohH
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 29, 2024
Per the graphic above, Lillard is the first player in Milwaukee’s franchise history to have multiple games of 25+ points and 10+ assists without committing a single turnover.
Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers Regrets Not Calling More Plays for Damian Lillard Late in the Game
One of the things that makes Lillard such a great player is his clutch performances. He is one of the premier players in the NBA for his ability to take over close games and make shots with the clock winding down.
But he took his last shot for Milwaukee with 5:07 left in the game against the Bulls.
Afterwards, head coach Doc Rivers bemoaned his failure to get his star point guard the ball:
“I gotta be better making sure Dame has the ball in his hands down the stretch of the game. We drew up to plays to get him on the secondary [action] because they were loading up and he never got it. Like we have to have an understanding to get it to him and live with it.”
Of course, the Bulls were able to load up on Dame so much down the stretch because Giannis was not playing. Once he returns, Milwaukee will be able to get back to playing the brand of basketball that helped them overcome their 2-8 start.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- “We Just Lost the F—ing Game!” Bucks’ Bobby Portis Goes on NSFW Rant After 111-105 Loss to Nets
- “That’s Big;” Milwaukee Bucks Make Crucial Announcement Prior to Bulls Game
- Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers Issues Strong Declaration on Damian Lillard’s Injury
- Milwaukee Bucks Fans Explode After Brook Lopez Joins Exclusive Club
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