For the first time all season, the Milwaukee Bucks are riding a three-game win streak - a small but meaningful step for a team that’s spent much of this year searching for consistency. After sweeping their recent homestand, the Bucks now hit the road for a three-game swing to close out the first half of the season, with the All-Star break looming this weekend. The trip starts with back-to-back matchups against the Orlando Magic before a tough finale against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder.
But it’s not just the schedule that’s shifting. The Bucks are also rolling out a slightly new-look roster following the NBA trade deadline.
Milwaukee added Ousmane Dieng in a deal with the Bulls, sending out Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony in return. They also scooped up Cam Thomas off waivers from the Brooklyn Nets - a move that could add some much-needed scoring punch off the bench.
Both Dieng and Thomas are expected to be available tonight against the Magic, giving head coach Doc Rivers a couple of fresh options as he tries to spark a late-season turnaround.
Let’s talk about where things stand.
The Bucks’ Playoff Push: Still Alive, But Time’s Ticking
At 21-29, Milwaukee sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference - just outside the play-in picture. That’s not where anyone expected them to be at this point, especially with a two-time MVP on the roster and a team built to contend, not rebuild. But the season has been a rollercoaster, marred by injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of identity on both ends of the floor.
Still, there’s a sense within the organization that the tide could turn - and soon. Much of that optimism hinges on the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains sidelined with a calf strain but is reportedly targeting a return on February 20, right after the All-Star break. That game marks the start of the final stretch of the season, and if Giannis comes back at full strength, Milwaukee could still make a push.
A Cleaner Injury Report - Finally
For now, though, Giannis remains out. So does his brother, Alex Antetokounmpo, who’s on a two-way deal and currently with the G League squad. Taurean Prince is also still sidelined as he recovers from neck surgery.
But there’s some good news: Bobby Portis and Gary Harris, both of whom were dealing with injuries last week, are no longer listed on the injury report. That gives the Bucks a bit more depth heading into this road trip - and they’ll need it, especially with Giannis still unavailable.
Looking Ahead
These next three games won’t define the Bucks’ season, but they could set the tone for what’s to come. If Milwaukee can find a way to steal a couple of wins on the road - particularly without Giannis - it’ll give them a real shot to stay in the play-in hunt and build momentum heading into the break.
The additions of Dieng and Thomas bring new energy to the locker room, and with a mostly healthy rotation, the Bucks finally have a chance to see what this group can do when it’s (mostly) whole. The margin for error is thin, but the opportunity is still there.
Now it’s up to the Bucks to take it.