The Milwaukee Bucks are officially playing out the string on a lost 2025-26 season as they host the Los Angeles Clippers (38-36) on March 29. The Bucks were officially eliminated from any form of postseason basketball with yet another blowout loss, a 32-point defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on March 28.
Los Angeles took a 96-74 lead into the third quarter as five different players reached double figures for the game while Milwaukee allowed 29 points on 18 turnovers.
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The Clippers extended their lead to as many as 16 points before taking a 57-46 lead into the break. Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points to lead all scorers.
Los Angeles took a 29-25 lead after the first quarter thanks to a six Milwaukee turnovers that led to nine Clippers points. Andre Jackson Jr. played all 12 minutes for the Bucks, who suited up just eight players. Trent led all scorers with 11 points in the quarter.
Milwaukee is 29-44 and is tracking toward its worst season record since winning 15 games in 2014-15.
The Bucks had won the most regular season games in the NBA from 2018-25.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) is double-teamed by San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of their game Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Giannis Antetokounmpo not medically cleared to play
The Clippers game marks two weeks since Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee after landing awkwardly following a dunk on March 15 vs. Indiana. Antetokounmpo wanted to get back into that game but relayed afterward that the message from the training staff was it was “not worth it.”
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He has not been seen since, as he has struggled with being forced to sit while he believes he is healthy enough to play. On March 24, the players association issued a statement on his behalf decrying the Bucks tanking and the league not enforcing its own rules for player participation, and on March 25 NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would look into the situation.
Before the game against the Clippers, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers maintained that Antetokounmpo has not been medically cleared to return to play, despite looking fluid in many pregame warmups.
Rivers said there has been a re-evaluation of Antetokounmpo.
Regarding another conversation with the star about formally ending his season, Rivers said, “No. I mean, he’s not healthy yet. So we gotta get to the point where he’s cleared before we even have any conversation.”
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When asked if there is a chance then that Antetokounmpo may yet play this season, Rivers added, “Yeah, but he has to clear all the things. To me, there’s no discussion about it until he clears everything.”
Antetokounmpo has now missed seven games due to the knee issue.
More: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want? He wants to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks
Is Giannis playing?
No.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left knee hyperextension and bone bruise)
Gary Harris, out (personal reasons)
Kevin Porter Jr., out (right knee synovitis)
Bobby Portis Jr., out (left wrist sprain0
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, out (left calf soreness)
Kyle Kuzma, out (right Achilles tendinopathy)
Ryan Rollins, out (left hip flexor soreness)
Myles Turner, out (right patella tendinopathy)
Bucks starting lineup
Guards: Andre Jackson Jr., Gary Trent Jr.
Forwards: Pete Nance, Ousmane Dieng
What time is the Bucks game?
The game is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
What time is the Brewers game?
First pitch down the road at American Family Insurance Field is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
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What 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.
Bucks vs. Clippers odds
Los Angeles is a 13.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 222.5 points, per BetMGM.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Clippers lead Bucks 96-74 after third quarter