Giannis and his Bucks teammates speak on game-winning shot over Pacers
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks teammates speak on his game-winning shot over Pacers on Nov. 3, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Milwaukee Bucks return to action after two days off by hosting the Chicago Bulls tonight at Fiserv Forum. The long-standing Central Division rivalry (Chicago leads the all-time series 137-134) is renewed for 2025-26 and has a bit of juice behind it for two reasons: The Bulls are in first place in the Eastern Conference, and Nov. 7 is a NBA Cup pool play game.
Chicago is 6-1 and started the season 5-0, evoking the names Jordan, Pippen and Rodman in the process. Milwaukee is 5-3 and is coming off a loss in Toronto on Nov. 5 – but the team has a goal of not losing two games in a row.
And, Milwaukee is the defending NBA Cup champions and have never lost in pool play.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. The Bucks superstar is off the injury report completely. He had been dealing with pain in his left patellar and appeared to aggravate it on Nov. 3 in Indiana, but he did not play the fourth quarter in the blowout loss to Toronto.
Kevin Porter Jr., out (right meniscus surgery)Taurean Prince, questionable (neck strain)Kevin Porter Jr. undergoes right knee surgery
The Bucks announced that Porter underwent “successful” surgery for a tear of the meniscus in his right knee on Nov. 3. The team’s starting point guard was initially out since Oct. 22 after severely spraining his left ankle in the opener against Washington, and then he injured his knee on Oct. 30 during a workout. He is expected to be out at least four weeks.
What is the NBA Cup?
The NBA Cup is an in-season tournament the league began during the 2023-24 season. It features all 30 teams broken up into six “groups” for pool play. The winners of each group and one wildcard from each conference (so eight total teams) advance to single elimination tournament play culminating in the championship game in Las Vegas.
The Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Bucks (2024) were the first two champions of the Cup while LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the first two Most Valuable Players.
Each team has hung a championship banner in their respective arenas to commemorate the title.
This year, each player of the Cup-winning team will make $530,933.
In two seasons of in-season tournament play, the Bucks are 8-0 in pool play, which has given them two additional home games for the quarterfinal games. The 2023 team lost to Indiana in the semifinal in Las Vegas.
Bucks probable starting lineupGuards: AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr., Ryan RollinsForward: Giannis AntetokounmpoCenter: Myles TurnerWhat channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
What time is the Bucks game?
Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Bucks vs. Bulls odds, over/under
Milwaukee is 4.5-point favorite over Chicago, with the over/under set at 240.5 points per BetMGM.