Bulls may have pace, shooting and depth, but they don't have Giannis
In Milwaukee, the Bucks showcased their strength behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s remarkable performance, defeating the Bulls 126-110. The matchup, part of NBA Cup pool play, emphasized how evenly matched the teams were statistically — until Giannis took over.
Game Performance
Antetokounmpo recorded a season-high 41 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, nearly securing a triple-double. Nineteen of those points came in the fourth quarter, when he dominated both ends of the floor and shifted the game firmly in Milwaukee’s favor.
- Bucks: 126 points
- Bulls: 110 points
- Bucks record: 6-2
- Bulls record after loss: 6-2 (1-1 in Cup play)
Team Comparison
Both teams entered the contest with similar offensive pace and scoring. The Bulls averaged 120.4 points per game, while the Bucks trailed slightly at 119.9. The decisive difference came from Milwaukee’s MVP-caliber leader, whose presence proved unstoppable.
Coach and Player Reactions
“He’s just a handful with the way he plays,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said. “I’ve got great respect for his motor, intensity and the way he competes, but you’re going to have to, at a certain point, match force with force. He without question in the fourth quarter overwhelmed us.”
“He just started going at us one-on-one, and when he sees space, he’s going to attack it,” Isaac Okoro said.
Summary
The Bucks’ victory underscored one truth: while the Bulls have speed and depth, they lack a player who can dominate a game the way Giannis Antetokounmpo can.
Author’s summary: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 41-point effort proved decisive, exposing the Bulls’ limitations despite their strong start to the season.