PHOENIX – The Milwaukee Bucks head into the Mortgage Matchup Center to face the Phoenix Suns on March 21 for the second leg of their four-game trip through the Western Conference.
At 28-41, the Bucks have not technically been eliminated from the play-in picture in the Eastern Conference, but they begin play eight games behind the Charlotte Hornets in the win column with 13 games remaining.
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The next Bucks loss will clinch a losing season, which the franchise has not had since going 33-49 in 2015-16.
On March 19, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged in Utah that it was very unlikely the team would make the postseason and said individual player development was going to be a focus going forward. Unfortunately, the team fell behind the tanking Jazz by 30 points in an uncompetitive game.
The Suns are having the type of season the Bucks had hoped for, as they rebooted their roster around a new general manager, head coach and franchise star Devin Booker and are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt at 39-31.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Is Giannis playing?
No.
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The Bucks ruled Giannis Antetokounmpo out for the Suns game on March 20 with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee. Antetokounmpo has made it known he feels he can play through the injury, and Rivers said there is no structural damage, but the team is holding the 31-year-old out.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
11-22
Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left knee hyperextension and bone bruise)
Gary Harris, questionable (left groin contusion)
Kevin Porter Jr., questionable (right knee synovitis)
Bucks probable starting lineup
Guards: Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr.
Forwards: Ousmane Dieng, Kyle Kuzma
What time is the Bucks game?
The game is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. CT.
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.
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Bucks vs. Suns odds
Phoenix is an 11.5-point favorite over Milwaukee and the over/under is 219.5 points, per BetMGM.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) forces a jump ball with Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) forces a jump ball with Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) hits a three-point basket over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) drives on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Injured Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) is shown after their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) is unable to block a pass to Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance (35) passes the ball to Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) dunks the ball during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. lobbies a referee for a loose ball foul after getting hitting the face during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) hits a three-point basket over Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) is guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder (8) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) launches a three-point shot over Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) passes the ball around Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) swats the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) dunks on Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance (35) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is shown during the first half of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-116
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is shown during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Cavalier beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks try to avoid clinching losing season tonight vs. Suns | Live updates