The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t make headlines at the trade deadline - and maybe that was the point. Instead of chasing a splashy move or tearing things down, they opted for a subtle shuffle: sending out Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony in exchange for Ousmane Dieng and Nigel Hayes-Davis, who was promptly waived.
No blockbuster, no fire sale. Just a quiet recalibration.
And then came something louder: a win. Actually, three of them.
Friday night’s 105-99 home victory over the Pacers gave the Bucks their first three-game win streak of the season. That’s not a typo - this was Milwaukee’s first streak of the year, and it’s February.
The win followed victories over the Bulls and Pelicans, nudging their record to 21-29. It’s not a number that screams playoff push, but it’s a step in the right direction - or at least a step somewhere - for a team still trying to figure out who it is without (and even with) Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Let’s be real: winning right now doesn’t exactly serve the long-term draft odds. The Bucks are still far from the playoff picture, and even with Giannis in the lineup, they’ve hovered at .500 (15-15).
Without him, it’s been a struggle - 6-14. But if you’re looking for silver linings, Friday night delivered a few worth circling.
Balanced attack, breakout performances, and a rare taste of momentum
Doc Rivers’ group came out with energy and balance. Three different Bucks scored 20 or more, and they did it with a mix of veterans and rising contributors.
Bobby Portis brought his usual fire off the bench, dropping 21 points. Kevin Porter Jr. flirted with a triple-double - 23 points, seven boards, eight assists, and three steals - in a performance that showed off his versatility on both ends.
But the spotlight might belong to Ryan Rollins.
Rollins has quietly been stringing together the kind of stretch that turns heads. Friday marked his fourth straight game with 20 or more points, and the sixth time in his last seven games he’s hit that mark.
After a rough patch in mid-January, he’s bounced back in a big way - and right now, he’s playing like a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate. On the season, he’s averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting an efficient 46.6% from the field, 40.8% from three, and 75.7% from the line.
That’s not just solid - that’s impactful, especially on a team looking for consistent scoring outside of Giannis.
Frontcourt holds its own without Kuzma
With Kyle Kuzma sidelined due to calf soreness, Jericho Sims stepped into the starting lineup and made the most of it. He grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds, showing the kind of hustle and activity that doesn’t always show up in the scoring column.
Myles Turner, meanwhile, added 10 boards of his own and finished with a team-best +11 in the box score, despite scoring just nine points. It was a gritty, workmanlike effort from the frontcourt - the kind of performance that helps stabilize a game when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
What’s next?
The Bucks now head to Orlando for a two-game road set against the Magic, who are sitting above .500 at 26-24. It’s a chance for Milwaukee to test this newfound momentum against a young, athletic team that’s been one of the East’s pleasant surprises.
There’s still a long road ahead, and no one’s pretending this three-game streak changes the bigger picture. But for a team that’s been searching for rhythm, identity, and just a little bit of joy in a tough season, it’s a start. And sometimes, that’s enough to build on.