Bucks Suffer Sixth Straight Loss in Worst Season Start Since 1993
Milwaukee Bucks sit last in the East at 1-9 after a 117-97 loss to Boston, marking their worst start since 1993-94 following the blockbuster trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Just five years after celebrating an NBA championship, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a dismal 1-9 record following a 117-97 home loss to the Boston Celtics. This sixth consecutive defeat marks the franchise's worst start to a season since the 1993-94 campaign, when they opened 1-10 on their way to a 20-62 finish.
The current crisis follows a turbulent summer that saw Milwaukee trade franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal. In return, the Bucks acquired Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, Nate Ament, and future draft picks, turning the page to a rebuilding era under head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Struggling Newcomers and Rotations
Early results have been particularly painful, underlined by troubling numbers. Milwaukee ranks 23rd in offense (109.7 points per game) and 27th in defense (122.1 points allowed), while sitting dead last in steals with just 5.8 per contest. The loss to Boston mirrored their season-long struggles: after bursting out to a 20-6 lead behind Kyle Kuzma's early scoring, the Bucks collapsed under an 18-0 Celtics run.
Developmental hurdles are evident among the young acquisitions. Twenty-two-year-old Ware played a season-low nine minutes against Boston, while 20-year-old Jakucionis logged just eight minutes, as both gradually lose their grip on regular rotation spots. "It is a combination of several things," Jenkins explained regarding the playing time. "I know what these guys are capable of, but I need more consistency. I felt other players performed a bit better recently."
Offensive Struggles and Injury Scares
Veteran center Myles Turner is also struggling to anchor the paint. After going scoreless against the Toronto Raptors, Turner managed just three points on 1-of-15 shooting across the two games, though he did dish out a career-high seven assists against Boston.
Compounding the Bucks' woes, star guard Tyler Herro sparked a major injury scare in the third quarter when he banged his right knee and needed assistance heading to the locker room. Although Herro eventually returned to the floor, he was seen icing the knee post-game.
Despite the mounting obstacles, bright spots have emerged from the bench. Rookie Braden Smith tallied 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Ament contributed 12 points and five rebounds. "We have a lot of basketball left," guard AJ Green said. "I think our spirit is still great, and hopefully, everything we are going through will bring us closer together."
