Giannis’ Status Upgraded for the Bucks Most Important NBA Cup Game; Will the Streak Continue?
Milwaukee Bucks face a critical turning point as injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Porter Jr. threaten their NBA Cup ambitions and expose major defensive issues. Can the Bucks survive this challenging stretch and keep their postseason hopes alive? Justin Garcia and Camille Davis break down the latest injury updates, struggles with ball handling depth, and how the team’s defensive breakdowns emerged even before Giannis was sidelined.
Key discussions cover Ryan Rollins’ silver lining performances, the Bucks’ shrinking margin for error, and why upcoming Cup games against the Miami Heat and New York Knicks are now must-win scenarios. With Miami and New York surging, playoff positioning and in-season tournament advancement hang in the balance. Will Coach Doc Rivers find a lineup solution in time, and could Giannis’ miraculous recovery tip the scales? Don’t miss this strategic look at the Bucks’ most pivotal week yet.
0:00 — Injury Report Updates
2:53 — Bucks’ Defense Concerns
14:12 — Giannis’ Return & NBA Cup Implications
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBucks?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
#MilwaukeeBucks #Bucks #GiannisAntetokounmpo #DamianLillard #NBA
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
DoorDash
Next time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50 the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop.
DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply.
No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details.
DoorDash — In your bag all season long.
BILT
Turn your rent into rewards and start earning points around your neighborhood by going to https://joinbilt.com/lockedonnba.
DripDrop
Stock up now before the heat hits hard — and keep your body and mind performing at their best with DripDrop.
Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.
Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNBA.
Wayfair
Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals.
Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off.
Mint Mobile
Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at https://MintMobile.com/LOCKEDONNBA
Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo). Limited-time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.
Robinhood
You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move.
All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor.
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com to get started
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
25 Comments
I wouldn't mind signing Victor Oladipo to a contract and also Pete Nance and also considering trading AJ Green, Bobby Portis for a Defensive 4/5 in the 2nd unit like a John Collins, Lauri Markkenn.
The main issue with this team is defence. I honestly had expectations that we would have been top 5 defensively. But we are far far from there. Not sure if this is current personnel or its a coaching thing. Its unacceptable that zone is our best defensive scheme.
Giannis by himself is not taking this team for bottom 5 in the league to contender. Whoever thinks that is just deluting themselves. Any condending team has to be sound whether their best player plays or not.
Blow this whole thing up please. Embrace a rebuild. Get young
Thank you Justin! What were people expecting it to look like without Giannis?!?!? I'm personally disappointed with the fan base. The negativity that I've seen with Giannis & KPJ out is sad. What did anyone expect heading into the season without those two on the floor?!
The Bucks ant shit
Stop the this team was built for giannis. We got the best players we could. The team also sucks because of numerous coaching issues. I swear to god the bucks dont practice plays. They miss assignments constantly. Thats why the opponents shoot 60% on 3s in the first quarter. College teams are more organized. That is coaching. Stop giving him excuses.
last year we had a good team with these 5 players…. KPJ-Green-Trend-Portis-Giannis. thats stats history!
Fire Doc first of all 😂😂. When we won the cup Jackson jr. was starting I’m just saying. Sims and Jackson look so awkward because Doc gives them zero confidence on the court. Plays 30 minutes one game plays 5 minutes the next. Doc gotta go the team quit on Doc against Portland
KEEP GA ON THE BENCH
they need him healthy to trade him. Put him out there 8 on 5 and his bound to get injured and we get 2 picks and salary fill only
Even without GA you would expect the roster to at least collect a few wins but now it is very evident that they are trash without him. They are not even a play in team and top 7 with GA so what is the point GA cant do it alone they need to find an identity .its so disappointing
WHY HOLD GREEK HOSTAGE the Turner move just prolonged the death LET HIM GO and rebuild BUCKS SUCK
“Ask.” Not “axe.”
can we stop with the NBA Cups BS? It is the most irrelevant faux tournament ever to exist. What an absolute crock. The NBA has gone off the rails with this stuff. How about playing good, competitive basketball with at least a modicum of the actual game elements ie traveling, fouls, palming etc. The game has been bastardized to a point that it's almost unwatchable..
Jackson jr gave mr Doc Rivers a good game and he gave Ajax less minutes the next game…he got time-out for playing good…if i was Ajax I'll ask to be traded.
I still say the bucks need a long, defensive and shot blocking power forward with some decent offensive skills to make up for some of the interior defensive presence that Giannis provides in the event that Giannis is out. I mean somebody like what Thon Maker used to be. Maker was a shot blocker and could score enough to buy some time for a situation like this no matter what anyone thought of his game. Jerico Simms does not give you any offense and Portis gives you no interior defense.
Group C in the West is so fascinating. It's the first Group of Death that the Cup has had in 3 years
The reality with the Milwaukee Bucks is that it has nothing to do with the coach or the players. They are missing 2 players. Antetokounmpo and Kevin Porter Jr. One is a superstar and the other is a star. Be patient, they are coming back.
Everytime I come on here none of you in this comments section got any SMOKE for the man that put these squads together over the years!! WHY?? Why are all of you giving him a pass!! I'm going back to CAPS that's my style. I did it yall way it really doesn't matter. You are all in oblivion when it comes to JON!! You have given him a pass time and time again and COME TO THIS SECTION AND SAY NOTHING ABOUT HIM!! Some of you want a GIANNIS trade,but those of you who want this keep FORGETTING JON IS IN CHARGE YOU ABSENTMINDED PEOPLE!! HOW WILL A TRADE HELP WHEN HE KEEPS BOTCHING THE PLAYER PERSONNEL?? HOW?? Where are the true BUCKS FANS?? Because they would have responded and been very VOCAL IN THIS SECTION!! AS ALWAYS JON MUST GO!! FIRST NICO NOW JON MUST BE GONE!! THE TIME IS NOW!! THIS IS TIME!! This is his roster. His first round EXIT TEAMS TWO YEARS IN A ROW!! His five lose SQUAD currently losing these games!! But yet all of you stay silent and keep the status quote!! I don't know why all of you bother even writing anything in this section if you're not going to address the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!!
This franchise is poorly run. The decision to hire Griffen set this team wayyy back. The Dame salary dump was even dumber.
Heat in 4
The main issue isn't the actual defense. It's turnovers on offense leading to fast break points and giving up offensive rebounds and second, third and FOURTH chance points with regularity. Tough to win when you give up ten more shots a game than you shoot.
Fans are realizing this team is just playing games until another playoff elimination early. They’re asking “What’s the point of all this?”
Trade Bobby and Cole for Nic Claxton (HUGE upgrade over Bobby who will still get 30 mins. behind Giannis and Turner, with Sims getting minutes as well). Give Vic the open roster spot.
Trade Coffey in order to convert Nance.
Play Rollins from the bench when KPJ returns and give AJAX some minutes backing up the SF (who should be TP when he returns, as the Trent line ups don't work).
The starting D will then be elite and cover up for AJ's bad D (GA, KPJ, AJ, TP, MT).
The second unit should then become elite with a combo of Rollins, AJAX and Vic playing som PG behind KPJ (and a slightly better defender in Trent behind AJ). And Kuz would still be out there with the 2nd unit as the PF to Claxton at C, making that unit really good on D and not that bad on offense.
Kuz, Rollins, AJAX, Claxton, and Trent looks like a really great 2nd unit to me.
So, yes I agree that it's the D. However, don't downplay the importance of the POA defender. It's not just GA. It's KPJ.
I thought maybe it was TOs, but I just went through each game and the Bucks have won games where they lost the TO battle by 3 or more and lost games when they won the TO battle (a lot of those). I thought maybe ball handling and giving up transition points (not really indicative of bad D per se), was part of it, but I guess not.
PS–If a sprain isn't a tissue injury–no matter that you think the wrist is mostly bones–I don't know what they were telling me in those PT and anatomy classes!! A sprain is ABSOLUTELY a tissue injury.
He didn't play, and they lost. I'm tired of Doc playing politics. If he's out, and you know it, simply tell the truth.