A 1-6 start to the season isn’t causing the Milwaukee Bucks to panic just yet. However, they are eager to turn things around as they prepare to host the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
The Bucks are coming off back-to-back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers, most recently falling 116-114 on Monday night. Despite Damian Lillard’s 36 points and Bobby Portis’s 21 points and 18 rebounds, Milwaukee couldn’t avoid their sixth straight defeat. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined by a right adductor strain.
Utah also holds a 1-6 record but reached it differently, starting the season with a six-game losing streak before defeating the Chicago Bulls 135-126 on Monday night. Keyonte George had a standout performance for the Jazz, matching his career-high with 33 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc, and dishing out nine assists. John Collins came off the bench to contribute a 28-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Among the injured for the Jazz is forward Lauri Markkanen, who has missed the past three games due to low back spasms. Markkanen averaged 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in four games before being sidelined. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Markkanen was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice but is questionable for Thursday’s game.
Rookie Kyle Filipowski has stepped into the starting lineup in Markkanen’s absence, averaging 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds over the past three games.
Collins hopes Monday’s victory will spark the Jazz, expressing confidence that Utah can rely on anyone stepping up to fill minutes. Meanwhile, forward Taylor Hendricks underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle, an injury sustained during the third quarter of a 110-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 28.
