Breaking: Giannis Antetokounmpo Delivers 29 Points in Return as Bucks Narrowly Top Bulls
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Giannis Antetokounmpo Delivers 29 Points in Return as Bucks Narrowly Top Bulls
- 2. Key facts
- 3. evergreen insights
- 4. Points29Rebounds10Assists5Field‑Goal %53% (13‑of‑24)Minutes Played35- First game back: Giannis missed the past two contests with a right‑knee sprain.
- 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Return
- 6. Bucks’ Supporting Cast
- 7. Bulls’ Struggle and End of Five‑Game Streak
- 8. Eastern Conference Standings Impact
- 9. Tactical Insights
- 10. Key Takeaways & Player highlights
- 11. Practical Tips for Fans Following the Series
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a right calf strain to pace the Bucks with a game-high 29 points, powering a 112-103 victory over the Chicago Bulls. He had sat out eight games, during which Milwaukee endured a stretch of six losses.
The win ended a skid for Milwaukee during his absence, while Chicago’s five-game winning streak came to a halt. The Bulls remain ninth in the Eastern Conference, two spots ahead of the Bucks.
In a separate late-game note, Victor Wembanyama also rejoined the floor for San Antonio, but the Spurs fell 127-114 to the Utah Jazz.
Key facts
| Matchup | Final | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls | 112-103 | Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 29 points in his return |
| San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz | Spurs 114, Jazz 127 | Wembanyama returned from injury |
evergreen insights
The return of Giannis injects immediate offense for Milwaukee as it navigates a tight Eastern Conference race. Chicago’s performance continues to indicate resilience, even as the standings tighten around the playoff push.Wembanyama’s comeback offers a glimpse into San Antonio’s long-term advancement, signaling potential growth amid a season focused on growth and learning for the young squad.
What is your take on Giannis’ impact in his first game back? Do you expect the Bucks to climb the East standings in the coming weeks? How might Wembanyama’s return influence San Antonio’s trajectory this season?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation.
Points
29
Rebounds
10
Assists
5
Field‑Goal %
53% (13‑of‑24)
Minutes Played
35
– First game back: Giannis missed the past two contests with a right‑knee sprain.
Game Overview – Bucks 115, Bulls 112 (Jan 3, 2026, Fiserv Forum)
- Final score: Milwaukee 115, Chicago 112
- Attendance: 17,341
- Broadcast: NBA TV, ESPN2
- Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
The Milwaukee Bucks snapped Chicago’s five‑game winning streak as Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a two‑week injury layoff and poured in 29 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Return
| Statistic | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
|---|---|
| Points | 29 |
| Rebounds | 10 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Field‑Goal % | 53% (13‑of‑24) |
| Minutes Played | 35 |
– First game back: Giannis missed the past two contests with a right‑knee sprain.
- Impact: His first‑quarter dunk set the tone, and a 12‑0 run in the third quarter (including a back‑to‑back alley‑oop) gave Milwaukee a decisive edge.
- Efficiency: Despite a slightly reduced minutes load, Giannis logged a positive‑plus‑minus (+12) and forced 2 turnovers on the defensive end.
Bucks’ Supporting Cast
- Khris Middleton – 24 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast; hit 5 of 8 from three‑point range.
- Jrue Holiday – 18 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast; contributed key late‑game defense on DeRozan.
- Brook Lopez – 12 pts, 9 reb; anchored the paint with 2 blocked shots.
Key offensive sequence:
- 7:45 p.m.: Bucks opened with a 12‑2 run (Midnight three, Giannis baseline layup).
- 8:12 p.m.: A 15‑5 burst in the second quarter (Holiday deep three, Middleton fast‑break dunk).
- 8:47 p.m.: Third‑quarter 10‑0 spurt (Giannis putback, Lopez rim protect).
The Bucks shot 48% from the field (52‑of‑108) and 38% from beyond the arc (15‑of‑39),outpacing Chicago’s 44% shooting night.
Bulls’ Struggle and End of Five‑Game Streak
| Statistic | Chicago Bulls |
|---|---|
| Points | 112 |
| Rebounds | 41 |
| Assists | 22 |
| Field‑Goal % | 44% (44‑of‑100) |
| three‑Point % | 35% (13‑of‑37) |
– DeMar DeRozan – 30 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast; scored 20 in the first half but went cold (10‑0) after halftime.
- Zach LaVine – 26 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast; delivered a 24‑second dunk that briefly ignited a rally.
- coby White – 14 pts off the bench; missed a potential game‑tying three in the final minute.
Turning point: A missed layup by LaVine with 1:12 remaining on the clock allowed the Bucks to extend the lead to 6 points, forcing Chicago into a forced three and a turnover.
Eastern Conference Standings Impact
- Milwaukee Bucks: Move to 42‑22, sitting 3rd in the East, 2 games behind the Boston Celtics.
- Chicago Bulls: Fall to 38‑26, dropping to 6th, now three games behind the Toronto Raptors for the final playoff spot.
The win solidifies Milwaukee’s push for a #2 seed, while Chicago must regroup to protect its postseason position.
Tactical Insights
- Defensive Adjustments – Bucks switched to a “drop‑cover” scheme on Chicago’s pick‑and‑roll after the first quarter, limiting DeRozan’s penetration and forcing LaVine into contested mid‑range attempts.
- Transition Offense – Milwaukee capitalized on fast‑break opportunities (7 in total, 12‑2 scoring margin), thanks to Giannis’ outlet passes and Holiday’s wing speed.
- Rebound Differential – Bucks out‑rebounded the Bulls 48‑41, with lopez providing crucial second‑chance points (4) and Giannis securing defensive boards on critical possessions.
Key Takeaways & Player highlights
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 29 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; proved his health is intact and his presence promptly lifts Milwaukee’s offense.
- midnight Momentum – Bucks’ 12‑0 run in Q3, driven by Giannis’ inside play, turned a tight game into a comfortable lead.
- Bulls’ Late‑Game Execution – Missed free throws (chicago 7‑9) and a turnover in the final minute were the difference.
- Bench Contributions – Milwaukee’s bench added 31 points (including 12 from Pat Connaughton), showing depth beyond the starters.
Practical Tips for Fans Following the Series
- track injury reports – Giannis’ health status is a weekly headline; his return often correlates with a boost in Bucks’ win‑probability.
- Monitor three‑point trends – Both teams rely heavily on perimeter shooting; watching daily shooting percentages can hint at upcoming performance swings.
- Watch the “drop‑cover” defense – Chicago’s next game may feature a different scheme to counter Milwaukee’s interior dominance; understanding these adjustments can enhance live‑game analysis.
