Sixers Surge Late, Sweep Season Series vs. Bucks Despite Strong Nights from Turner, Rollins
The Milwaukee Bucks hung tough for three quarters in Philly, but when the fourth quarter hit, the 76ers slammed the door shut. A burst of scoring from Joel Embiid and Paul George-who combined for 61 points-proved too much for Milwaukee, who now fall to 0-3 against the Sixers this season.
Let’s break down what went right, what went wrong, and who stood out in a game that was competitive until it wasn’t.
Player Grades & Analysis
Ryan Rollins
38 minutes, 24 points, 4 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers, 9-17 FG, 2-4 3P, -4
This was the kind of bounce-back performance you love to see from a young guard. Rollins looked confident and composed, staying aggressive on the ball and playing with a smooth tempo that kept the Bucks’ offense flowing.
He didn’t get much love from the officials, but that didn’t stop him from attacking. Zero turnovers in 38 minutes?
That’s elite-level ball security.
Grade: A-
Myles Turner
35 minutes, 31 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 10-16 FG, 4-8 3P, -6
Turner looked like a man on a mission. He was hunting his shot and playing with a level of assertiveness we haven’t consistently seen this year.
Whether it was pick-and-pop threes or rim runs, he was active and efficient. With Giannis sidelined, the Bucks needed someone to step up offensively-Turner answered that call.
The next challenge? Finding a way to keep him this involved when Giannis returns.
Grade: A
AJ Green
29 minutes, 8 points, 3 assists, 3-6 FG, 2-4 3P, -1
Green didn’t hurt the Bucks out there, but he didn’t exactly swing the game either. As a floor spacer, he did his job when the ball found him, but it didn’t find him enough.
That’s the life of a specialist-some nights, the looks just aren’t there.
Grade: C+
Kyle Kuzma
31 minutes, 17 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 6-12 FG, 2-4 3P, -5
Kuzma had some rough patches, but overall, this was a well-rounded game. He was active in transition, made smart reads as a passer, and filled up the box score.
His ability to operate as a secondary playmaker stood out, especially when he used screens to create mismatches. He’s at his best when he’s attacking early and decisively, and we saw flashes of that here.
Grade: B
Bobby Portis
35 minutes, 17 points, 8 assists, 12 rebounds, 8-16 FG, 0-3 3P, -4
Portis had a few defensive lapses and missed a bunny at the rim, but let’s not bury the lede-eight assists from Bobby Portis. That’s not just a career night as a passer, that’s a sign of real growth.
He’s always brought energy and rebounding, but if he can consistently make plays for others, that adds a whole new dimension to his game.
Grade: A-
**Gary Trent Jr. **
20 minutes, 13 points, 4-9 FG, 4-9 3P, -16
Trent did what he’s paid to do-knock down shots.
Defensively, he had some shaky possessions, and the team struggled during his minutes, but his shooting helped keep the Bucks within reach for much of the game.
Grade: C
Gary Harris
13 minutes, 0 points, 2 assists, 0-0 FG, -9
Harris logged minutes, but didn’t make much of an impact either way. He facilitated a bit, didn’t take a shot, and didn’t stand out defensively.
Sometimes, that’s just the role-hold the line, don’t hurt the team.
Grade: C
Cole Anthony
14 minutes, 10 points, 2 turnovers, 3-8 FG, 1-2 3P, -17
Anthony brought some scoring off the bench, but the turnovers hurt. For a guy playing limited minutes, every possession counts.
He’s been more controlled lately, but tonight was a reminder that decision-making is still a work in progress.
Grade: C-
Jericho Sims
10 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, 0-0 FG, -11
Rough night for Sims. He had two turnovers that were flat-out giveaways-one of them launched into the stands.
And with just one rebound in ten minutes against a big Philly front line, it’s fair to question whether he gave the Bucks what they needed out there.
Grade: D
Coaching Corner: Doc Rivers
Give Doc credit-his team came out with a clear game plan and executed it well for three quarters. The offense was crisp, and the ball movement was sharp.
But the decision to roll with Jericho Sims against Philly’s size didn’t pay off. The Sixers grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and racked up 31 second-chance points.
That’s a backbreaker. Also, playing Ryan Rollins nearly 40 minutes raises some eyebrows-especially in a game that got away late.
Grade: B-
Bonus Bucks Bits
- Kyle Kuzma had an interesting postgame comment about Myles Turner: “He hasn’t really been involved this year from an offensive perspective, outside of typical kick-out threes.” That tracks with what we’ve seen-but tonight, Turner was far more than a floor spacer.
- Doc Rivers didn’t hold back postgame, calling the team’s defense “awful.” He pointed to the lack of physicality-just 12 fouls committed all game-and said that while he liked the offensive execution, the defensive intensity just wasn’t there.
- Doc explained his decision to use Sims over Pete Nance by citing Philly’s size. In theory, it makes sense.
In practice? The 76ers feasted on the glass, and Sims had just one rebound.
Nance may not have changed the outcome, but it’s fair to wonder if he could’ve offered more resistance.
- Ryan Rollins continues to take a beating without getting the whistle. He gets hit on drives more than most, but the calls just aren’t coming. That’s something the Bucks will want to monitor-especially if he keeps playing this aggressively.
- Tyrese Maxey didn’t steal the headlines, but his impact was felt. The kid just keeps getting better. And when you add in vintage performances from Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers looked every bit like a team ready to make a serious postseason push.
Bottom Line: The Bucks showed flashes, but Philly’s firepower-and Milwaukee’s defensive breakdowns-proved too much down the stretch. There were positives, especially from Turner and Rollins, but if the Bucks want to contend without Giannis, they’ll need to tighten up the defensive glass and find more consistent bench production.