The Milwaukee Bucks have had a tough start to their season, facing a grueling schedule with four of their first five games on the road, and five of their first seven away from home. As they prepare to visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night, the Bucks are aiming to snap a three-game losing streak, which includes back-to-back road defeats to the Brooklyn Nets and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. Despite these struggles, Milwaukee is trying to stay calm.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been stellar, averaging 28.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists through four games. Damian Lillard has also been impressive, nearly matching Antetokounmpo’s output with 28.0 points and 6.3 assists per game. Veteran center Brook Lopez contributed 13 points and six rebounds in 32 minutes against Boston on Monday.
Memphis, like Milwaukee, is struggling early in the season. The Grizzlies have lost two consecutive home games, including a heartbreaking 126-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday after leading by 20 points in the second quarter and 14 at halftime. On Wednesday night, turnovers and injuries plagued Memphis, as they committed 22 turnovers and lost two starters: Marcus Smart (ankle) in the first quarter and Desmond Bane (oblique) in the third quarter.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins remains optimistic, despite the early season woes. Memphis was outscored 69-43 in the second half of a recent road loss to the Rockets, and Jenkins has criticized his team’s defensive efforts, especially after allowing the Bulls to tie a franchise record with 25 made three-pointers.
Jenkins emphasized the need for the team’s depth to step up if Smart and Bane miss extended time. Reserve forward Brandon Clarke delivered a promising performance, scoring 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting in 20 minutes during Wednesday’s 119-106 loss to Brooklyn. Clarke’s showing was his best since returning from an Achilles injury that limited him to six games last season. Rookie Zach Edey, the Grizzlies’ 2024 first-round pick from Purdue, also appeared more comfortable, scoring 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 18 minutes against the Nets.
As the Bucks and Grizzlies both seek to bounce back, Thursday night’s game promises to be a critical matchup for both teams.
