Thunder Fall Flat Against Shorthanded Bucks: A Wake-Up Call in OKC
On a night when the Oklahoma City Thunder had a golden opportunity to take care of business at home, they instead ran into a buzzsaw of unexpected contributors from a Milwaukee Bucks team missing its superstar. With Giannis Antetokounmpo watching from the sidelines in street clothes, it was Bobby Portis, AJ Green, and former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng who lit up the Paycom Center, leading the Bucks to a wire-to-wire win that felt more lopsided than the final score.
Milwaukee dropped 17 threes on OKC (17-of-42 from deep), and while the Thunder managed to keep pace in volume (15-of-45), the rest of the shot chart told a different story. Oklahoma City struggled mightily in the paint, converting just 42.4% on interior looks, and lost the turnover battle - a recipe for disaster against a team that came in playing loose and confident with nothing to lose.
The game started slipping away late in the second quarter, when Milwaukee pushed their lead into double digits. From there, they never looked back. The Thunder couldn’t string together enough stops or clean offensive possessions to mount a serious comeback, and the Bucks kept their foot on the gas through the second half.
Chet Holds the Line, But Needs More Touches
Chet Holmgren did his best to anchor the Thunder’s frontcourt in the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein, finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. While he struggled from beyond the arc (0-of-4 from three), Holmgren made his presence felt inside, both as a rebounder and rim protector. Still, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out, there’s a growing sense that Holmgren needs to be more than just a complementary piece - he needs to stretch himself as a scorer and creator.
He’s not fully polished in that role yet. The handle can be loose, the decision-making still developing.
But the tools are there. The touch, the length, the basketball IQ - all of it points toward a player who can do more, especially when the offense is short on shot creation.
This was a night that begged for Holmgren to take a few more risks, and in the long run, those reps could pay off.
Isaiah Joe: The Lone Bright Spot from Deep
With three starters out (Shai, Jalen Williams, and Hartenstein), the Thunder leaned heavily on their bench and supporting cast. The ball movement was decent, especially from Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, and rookie Jared McCain, who helped space the floor in a five-out setup. OKC actually attempted eight more threes than their season average - a clear sign of strategic adjustment - but the execution didn’t quite match the intent.
Only Joe really found his rhythm, finishing with 17 points and knocking down 4-of-9 from distance. He gave the Thunder a fighting chance early, though the offense couldn’t keep pace with Milwaukee’s barrage.
Joe also had a scary moment in the first quarter, going down awkwardly on a non-contact play. He stayed in the game and played through it, but it was a tense few seconds for OKC fans - and a reminder of how thin the margin is for this roster when injuries start piling up.
There’s a growing case to be made for feeding Joe a Klay Thompson-esque shot diet, especially while the Thunder are short-handed. He’s got the quick trigger, the footwork, and the confidence. If the Thunder are going to survive stretches without their top creators, Joe’s gravity could be a lifeline.
Nikola Topic Makes His Debut
One of the more heartwarming moments of the night came when Nikola Topic checked in to a standing ovation. Nearly two years removed from a torn ACL that derailed his draft momentum, Topic finally made his NBA debut. And while the box score won’t blow anyone away - a quick assist, a made shot, a few turnovers - it was the feel and aggression that stood out.
Topic didn’t play it safe. He pushed the pace, tried to make things happen, and clearly caught a few teammates off guard with the velocity on his passes.
There’s rust to shake off, no doubt, but there’s also real upside here. For a team that thrives on ball movement and tempo, Topic’s instincts fit the mold.
Ousmane Dieng’s Revenge Game
Ousmane Dieng didn’t just show up - he showed out. The former Thunder wing, who was dealt to Milwaukee before the trade deadline, put together a monster line: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 combined steals and blocks. It was a full-circle moment for Dieng, who looked more confident and assertive than he ever did in an OKC uniform.
The Thunder front office believed they were selling high on Dieng, and that may still prove true. But performances like this will keep the conversation alive.
He played with energy, purpose, and a clear chip on his shoulder. And on this night, he was one of the best players on the floor.
All-Star Weekend Looms - And So Do the Risks
With the All-Star break just days away, the Thunder are limping toward a much-needed pause. Jared McCain is headed to the celebrity 3-point shootout (yes, that’s a real thing), and Holmgren will represent OKC in the main event. And while it’s great to see Holmgren earning that recognition, there’s also a collective breath being held in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder need their core healthy - full stop. That means Shai, JDub, Holmgren, Hartenstein, and Ajay Mitchell all need to be ready to go when the games start counting again. The team has enough talent to defend their title, but only if the stars are aligned - and on the court.
Yes, they need better rebounding. Yes, JDub needs to find his shooting rhythm again.
And yes, the team needs to lock down home court. But above all else, this team’s postseason hopes hinge on health.
The All-Star break can’t come soon enough, and Thunder fans will be hoping it brings more healing than highlights.
Final Thought
This wasn’t just a bad loss - it was a reminder. Even against a depleted opponent, nothing is guaranteed in this league.
The Thunder are still one of the most talented teams in basketball, but that talent needs to be on the floor. If they can get healthy, the ceiling remains sky-high.
But nights like this show just how thin the margin can be - and how quickly things can unravel when the core is missing.