{"id":652575,"date":"2026-03-11T11:40:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/652575\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:40:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:40:15","slug":"milwaukee-bucks-taurean-prince-returned-to-play-after-four-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/652575\/","title":{"rendered":"Milwaukee Bucks’ Taurean Prince returned to play after four months"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taurean Prince<\/a> checked in at the scorer\u2019s table at Fiserv Forum on March 10 to applause from the home fans after missing nearly four full months of play <\/a>due to a surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck.<\/p>\n

He walked onto the court as the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a>\u2019 sixth man with 6 minutes, 32 seconds to go in the first quarter of their 129-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns<\/a>, but the moment was a victory.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe whole time coming back was definitely a grind,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just glad for this day in general, just to have my family watch me play again. It\u2019s something that was a possibility could never happen again if I chose not to get the surgery. But the moment I knew there was a chance that it could happen if I got the surgery and I just went for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Milwaukee<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

Though Prince said in December the injury and subsequent surgery was not career-threatening, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said in the early stages of Prince\u2019s recovery it didn\u2019t appear as if a return to basketball would be in the cards this season, as the 31-year-old forward had a brace on and couldn\u2019t do much more than walk.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd as his neck started healing, hope came,\u201d Rivers said before the game.<\/p>\n

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It was a hope Prince clearly never lost, even if he had no control over how his body was healing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt great, honestly,\u201d he said. \u201cGod is the greatest. It really was a challenge just to really hone in just day-to-day and focus on the get back. If I\u2019m not mistaken I\u2019m the first player ever to have this injury and get back the same season, so that was something that was in my mind from the very beginning. I\u2019m just glad to be able to step foot on the court again.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his first game since Nov. 4, Prince logged just under 18 minutes off the bench. And that time, of course, meant he was going to have to take the physical pounding of an NBA game, like fending off the swinging arms of 7-foot, 1-inch, 250-pound Suns center Khaman Malauch for a rebound or defending other Phoenix forays into the paint.<\/p>\n

After the game Prince said he wasn\u2019t worried about taking any contact because he was confident in his rehab, but smiled and admitted he was a little upset none of his three, 3-point attempts went down. He did collect three rebounds.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m happy, obviously it\u2019s been a while,\u201d Giannis Antetokounmpo said, looking over at Prince\u2019s locker as he spoke. \u201cI definitely know how hard it is to be in rehab protocol for awhile and see other guys playing and you gotta keep on taking care of your body.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s tiring, it\u2019s boring because you\u2019re by yourself. He did it for a lot of months and I\u2019m happy that he\u2019s able to wear that jersey and play with us. We have 18 games left and hopefully he can have fun and help this team keep on winning games.\u201d<\/p>\n

More: Bucks should play hard, but playoffs are distracting \u2018fool\u2019s gold\u2019 | Lori Nickel<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is the timeline of events surrounding Prince\u2019s injury and rehab process:<\/p>\n

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Nov. 3: Prince was knocked to the floor on an illegal screen by Indiana big man Tony Bradley. Prince remained in the game and played the next night in Toronto before being sidelined.<\/p>\n

Prince wouldn\u2019t say the screen caused the injury but \u201cmay have been what put it over the top, but I was feeling a little uneven before that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nov. 10: Team announced Prince was out \u201cindefinitely\u201d<\/a> after an MRI revealed a herniated disc in his neck.<\/p>\n

Nov. 13: Team announced he underwent surgery<\/a> in Los Angeles to repair the disc.<\/p>\n

Dec. 11: In his first public comments following the surgery, Prince said the surgery was needed to continue his career and added, \u201cI\u2019m gonna play again, for sure.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jan. 23: <\/a>Prince said he had been cleared for activity in January, which began with ball handling and some stationary shooting and progressed to some limited movement before shots. Then following a practice in Atlanta in mid-January, he was moving at a far quicker pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust to be able to, obviously, do what I love to do and just seeing any type of progression keeps me motivated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

February: Prince had said more check-ups were coming, and when the team practiced and shot around in Orlando from Feb. 7-11, he was running full speed in shooting drills and began to take contact from assistant coaches with foam pads. That continued after a practice in New Orleans on Feb. 19.<\/p>\n

March 9: The team formally upgraded Prince to \u201cquestionable\u201d to play vs. Phoenix. The next day before the game, Rivers said Prince would get on the court against the Suns.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s cool. It\u2019s cool,\u201d the coach said. \u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t think he would play this year. The fact that he\u2019s worked the way he\u2019s worked to get back on the floor is just all about him and who he is. It really is. It\u2019s really a cool thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prince has stayed engaged with the team throughout the season and is frequently seen getting off the bench and cheering on his teammates throughout game play. His return to action is without question one of the better feel-good stories in a Bucks season that has fallen short of expectation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside of just making the comeback bro, he\u2019s been so upbeat and positive all year,\u201d Bucks center Myles Turner said. \u201cThat\u2019s obviously an unfortunate situation, that\u2019s a thing I think is rare, a guy going through such a tough spot to having just to be here every day supporting, coach guys up on the sideline. Obviously he\u2019s one of the first ones here every single day. He\u2019s been the epitome of what it means to be a professional. I\u2019m happy for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s just a blessing for him to get back out there on that floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) takes a tumble during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) takes a tumble during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) scores during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets up after some hard contact during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) passes the pass to forward Rasheer Fleming (20) for an assist during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Looking on is Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13).<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) compete for a rebound during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of their game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) re-enters the game as head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) scores on Phoenix Suns forward Rasheer Fleming (20) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) is drives between Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) and guard Jordan Goodwin (23) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) is guarded by Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) scores on Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is shown during the first half of their game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is shown during the first half of their game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) passes around Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of their game against the Phoenix Suns Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) beats Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) to a rebound during the first half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

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Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 129-114<\/p>\n

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott talks with guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half of their game Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 129-114.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks’ Taurean Prince returned to play after four months<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Taurean Prince checked in at the scorer\u2019s table at Fiserv Forum on March 10 to applause from the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":652576,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3791],"tags":[676,7,2660,123,61082,113,251,121,367,6,478,47,2065,472,4045,604,281,14218,680],"class_list":["post-652575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-phoenix-suns","tag-atlanta","tag-basketball","tag-doc-rivers","tag-giannis-antetokounmpo","tag-herniated-disc","tag-indiana","tag-los-angeles","tag-milwaukee-bucks","tag-myles-turner","tag-nba","tag-new-orleans","tag-orlando","tag-phoenix","tag-phoenix-suns","tag-phoenixsuns","tag-suns","tag-taurean-prince","tag-tony-bradley","tag-toronto"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116210358770463559","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/652575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=652575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/652575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/652576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=652575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=652575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=652575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}