The LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks will meet for the first time in the 2025-26 NBA season on Saturday for a blockbuster clash at the Fiserv Forum. The Lakers enter this game with a 9-4 record, while the Bucks are 8-5. Both teams are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Lakers, who finish their five-game road trip on Saturday in Milwaukee, are 2-2 across the first four games. They beat the Pelicans 118-104 on Friday with Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton stuffing the stat sheet.
Reaves had 31 points and seven assists on 9 of 16 shooting. He also went 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Doncic tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and two steals and Ayton had 20 points, 13 rebounds and two steals on 10 of 11.
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The Bucks are also 2-2 in their last four games. They won 147-134 in overtime against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. Like the Lakers, Milwaukee also had multiple players who made significant contributions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, seven rebounds and 18 assists on 12 of 18 shots. Kyle Kuzma added 29 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Ryan Rollins played an excellent cameo with 20 points and eight rebounds on 8 of 12 shots.
With both teams playing for the second consecutive night, there will be significant questions about their starting lineups. Here are the projections for their rotations on Saturday.
LA Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineups and Depth Charts for Tonight
LA Lakers starting lineup and depth chart
LA Lakers coach JJ Redick said he “anticipated” the active players from Friday to be available against the Bucks. However, Rui Hachimura (calf) and Marcus Smart (illness) have been ruled out.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will likely share the backcourt, with Bronny James as the small forward, Jake LaRavia as the power forward, and Deandre Ayton as the center.
The bench unit will include Nick Smith Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero and Jaxson Hayes.
PGLuka DoncicNick Smith Jr.
SGAustin ReavesDalton Knecht SFBronny JamesAdou Thiero
PFJake LaRavia Jarred VanderbiltMaxi KleberCDeandre Ayton Jaxson HayesChristian Koloko
Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup and depth chart
The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t released their injury report, but none of their active players finished Friday’s game with an injury.
Ryan Rollins and AJ Green could retain their places as the point guard and small forward, with Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner as the frontcourt trio.
The bench unit will include Cole Anthony, Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Jericho Sims and Gary Harris.
PGRyan RollinsCole Anthony SGAJ Green Amir Coffey Andre Jackson Jr.SFKyle KuzmaGary Trent Jr. Gary HarrisPFGiannis AntetokounmpoBobby Portis Thanasis AntetokounmpoC Myles Turner Jericho SimsPete Nance
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Edited by Arhaan Raje