A horrible season in Milwaukee is coming to an end, while Philadelphia will play on beyond the regular season finale. The Bucks travel to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the 76ers on Sunday.
Milwaukee (32-49) was eliminated from postseason contention a while ago. This is the first time since 2015-16 that the Bucks haven’t qualified for the playoffs, which coincidentally is the last time the franchise finished a season with a losing record.
This is also one of the worst records in coach Doc Rivers’ 27 years leading five different NBA clubs. And the stress has revealed itself publicly in recent weeks.
“You know, this is my first losing season in 20 seasons. That’s a hell of a run,”‘ Rivers said on The Dan Patrick Show. “Losing is no fun for anyone. And the Giannis (Antetokounmpo) situation has been really rough for everyone, including Giannis. So, this has not been a fun year.”
The Bucks have gone 6-18 over the past several weeks to fall off the map in the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo has missed the last 14 games with some left-knee hyperextension, although he proclaims himself fit to play.
Milwaukee had lost five straight and 9 of 10 on the road but did post a 125-108 victory over the lowly Brooklyn Nets at home on Friday.
Rivers is getting a good look at some youngsters, and they are producing.
AJ Green broke the single-game franchise record with 11 3-pointers and had a career-high 35 points against Brooklyn. Cormac Ryan scored 28 points, and Taurean Prince had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Ousmane Dieng dished out 12 assists, and Jericho Sims added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“AJ is a great kid. He puts in the time. It’s just really good for him,” Rivers said.
The veteran coach also heaped praise on Ryan, the undrafted rookie out of North Carolina, who is averaging 13.5 points in 10 games with Milwaukee.
“He can shoot the ball, he’s a playmaker, high IQ,” Rivers said. “But the thing that stands out to me is he has this inner toughness that I really enjoy.”
While the Bucks are getting a glimpse of their young talent, the Sixers (44-37), who ended a three-game skid with a 105-94 victory over Indiana on Friday, are counting on theirs to make an extended postseason run.
The 76ers are currently the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, but could finish in the Nos. 6, 7 or 8 slots.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe continued his standout debut season with 16 points, nine rebounds, and five assists against the Pacers.
Philadelphia stalwart Tyrese Maxey had 32 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Paul George added 21 points and five rebounds.
With Joel Embiid recovering from an appendectomy, Edgecombe’s reliability will be even more pivotal in the postseason.
“I think he has progressed in his one-on-one offense,” Nurse said. “I think, you know, early in the year, you weren’t quite sure when he was doing that stuff, what was going to happen. And now, it’s like everybody wants him to do it.”
