The Bucks Made A Major Statement With A 23-Point Road Win Over The Warriors

If there were any questions about whether the Milwaukee Bucks were legit coming into Thursday night’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors, there aren’t anymore. The Bucks, which were already one of the biggest stories in the NBA heading into the game, walked into Oracle Arena and beat the brakes off of the two-time defending champions. Even with Draymond Green sidelined with an injury, Milwaukee made a statement with a 134-111 victory.

The two teams spent the first quarter feeling one another out, and the Bucks used the second quarter to turn the jets on a bit and get the Warriors at arm’s length heading into the locker room. Milwaukee had a 64-51 lead at the half, with 19 of those for the Bucks coming from MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The thing with Golden State, though, is that third quarters are kind of their thing. When they’re at Oracle Arena especially, the Warriors are capable of coming out of the locker room and boat-racing their opponents. However, Milwaukee decided to laugh at this notion and spent the third quarter kicking Golden State’s collective teeth in. The Bucks outscored the Dubs 41-28 (!!!) in the frame. Even crazier, it felt like it could have been more, as Milwaukee was relentless in attacking their opponents.

Of course, there was Antetokounmpo, who did a bunch of stuff that has made him a superstar to score and set up his teammates.

Having to stay in front of him is nearly impossible, because his mix of size, power, length, and skill is rivaled by, at most, two or three other guys on earth. But for how brilliant Antetokounmpo is capable of being on a nightly basis, his teammates also managed to get the job done in the third quarter.

This was because the Bucks got out and ran, leading to them getting shots at the rim while the Warriors were caught in transition and on their back foot defensively.

Even Donte DiVincenzo got in on the fun, as the guy who got dropped with a crossover against Portland decided to be on the other end of that equation against the Dubs.

The fourth quarter was much of the same, even as it was announced Steph Curry was out with an injury and Antetokounmpo was relegated to the bench with five fouls. But the Bucks kept piling it on, including Pat Connaughton showing off the bunnies and yamming on Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie.

Thon Maker even had a highlight play because, you might be surprised to learn, the Bucks pushed the ball far too quickly in transition.

Milwaukee led by as many as 29 points on the night, a stunning margin that simply does not happen to the Warriors in their home building. Antentokounmpo’s 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes was incredible, while Eric Bledsoe led all scorers with 26 points. The Bucks also got 20 points out of Malcolm Brogdon and 17 points out of Khris Middleton. Klay Thompson’s 24 points led the way for the Warriors, but it was nowhere near enough.

It’s hardly the end of the world for the Dubs, because even if they hardly ever lose like this, it’s not like falling one time is the end of the world — the far bigger deal is finding out the status of Curry beyond this game. But for the Bucks, this is the kind of game that presents the opportunity to make a statement. Good teams win these games, but great teams see the opportunity in front of them to announce they’re among the league’s elite. It’s safe to say after a win of this magnitude that Milwaukee is, at least right now, an elite squad led by a legitimate superstar in Antetokounmpo.