If Milwaukee Bucks fans thought things would get better after the team dropped four of five, including a 132-119 loss to Memphis on Sunday, they had another thing coming. Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee management), Damian Lillard (groin), Khris Middleton (ankle management), Brook Lopez (back), and Bobby Portis (personal) were all ruled out for Monday’s matchup with the Thunder, 38-9 with the league’s second-best record.
For whatever it’s worth, the Bucks catch a break with OKC missing Jalen Williams for the second straight game, in addition to Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace. Chet Holmgren remains out, as he has for most of the season.
In case anyone thought rookie center Liam Robbins might see the court, he is also out with an undisclosed injury suffered in a G League game last week.
The point-spread for the game closed at a whopping 17.5. Reacting to the lineup posted by the Bucks’ official X account shortly before tipoff, fans predicted a slightly larger margin. That’s far from all they had to say.
Tonight’s starters. pic.twitter.com/zTh66xn0k4
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 4, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks Serving Up a Fab Five vs Oklahoma City Thunder
How would Brook Lopez at center look right about now? Fans have reacted harshly to his performance of late, but having even him and Middleton available would at least allow a semi-presentable rotation. Instead, we get this.
“Saddest lineup I’ve seen in a minute,” lamented one fan.
“NBA G League League team,” remarked another. The comment section is an endless thread of hilarity and despair.
“We tanking?” “Bro, what?” “This may be the worst lineup I’ve ever seen.”
As for the spread, “We finna get blown out by 50,” and “we might lose by 100,” supplied some suggestions for oddsmakers. “Game hasn’t started and we’re already down 50 pts.”
Others were rendered near speechless.
“GG.”
“WOW.”
“Damn wtf 😂😂.”
One commenter had the presence of mind to preach humility: “It could be worse….Thanasis could be in here.” Well, they’re not wrong.
Well, the Names Are Familiar
As for the lineup stats, AJ Green leads all starters with 7.9 PPG. Taurean Prince paces the rebound and assist columns at 3.8 and 2.1. As one of the two regular starters along with Andre Jackson, he also leads the group in minutes per game, tipping the scales at 25.8.
Playing his 11th game of the year (0.4 PPG), Chris Livingston makes for an interesting center at 6’6, 220 lbs. “Chris Livingston legacy game incoming,” one fan declared.
If those are the starters, who do the Bucks have off the bench? Gary Trent should see substantial minutes, that much seems certain. Why isn’t he starting? Rotation consistency?
Good old Pat Connaughton should play. Delon Wright, Marjon Beauchamp. Tyler Smith? Stanley Umude? *Paging the entire Wisconsin Herd roster for available bodies.*
Assuming their rostered members are available, Milwaukee does have the guys to trot out a 10-man rotation. Just not the NBA-caliber players.
“Is this a community college team?”
“This going into top 100 worst.”
“I am seeing things correctly or…”
Look on the bright side. It’s just one game, one in which the Thunder would be clear favorites regardless. The team is exhausted. They could use the rest. And hey, things could be worse. The Bucks only lost the first quarter by 17 points, 39-22.
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