At the midpoint of the season, we have a clearer picture of the teams that are most likely to be left standing at the end of the season.
While not many would have had the Warriors as championship contenders before the season started, they certainly have them among the leaders now, but Golden State has been playing short despite getting Klay Thompson back, they’re missing defensive stalwart Draymond Green.
MORE: Does Klay Thompson’s return make the Warriors consensus title favorites?
Milwaukee has also faced adversity this season after claiming its first championship in 50 years. The Bucks have had stretches at various stages this season without key players in Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee entered this game having lost two in a row, but The Greek Freak has been playing at the MVP level once again this season, averaging 28.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists so far this season. He did not disappoint against Golden State, achieving a triple-double with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. This was Antetokounmpo’s 28th career triple-double, tying him with Michael Jordan on the all-time list.
The Bucks never struggled and built a 39-point lead at halftime, the biggest deficit the Warriors have faced this season.
Golden State managed to win the second half, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Bucks from claiming their seventh win from start to finish this season.
The Sporting News has you covered with live updates, scores, stats and highlights from the Fiserv Forum:
Bucks vs. Warriors live updates, highlights, stats
one | two | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
Dollars | 37 | 40 | twenty | twenty-one | 118 |
Warriors | twenty-one | 17 | 3. 4 | 27 | 99 |
End of fourth quarter Bucks 118, Warriors 99
Giannis Antetokounmpo 30 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists
Khris Middleton 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds,
Steph Curry 12 points, 8 rebounds
Andrew Wiggins 16 points, 2 rebounds
9:46: Seventh straight win for the Bucks this season.
21:27: Triple-double for Giannis Antetokounmpo. 30 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. You figure Coach Bud is going to take him out of the game now. The Bucks lead 107-82 with 8:10 left in the quarter.
It’s too easy for Giannis 😤 pic.twitter.com/KgVs0tdqbp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2023
End of third quarter Bucks 97, Warriors 72
Giannis Antetokounmpo 29 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists
Khris Middleton 23 points, 7 assists
Steph Curry 12 points, 8 rebounds
Andrew Wiggins 16 points, 2 rebounds
21:08 : Giannis is in another time. another space. Another plateau.
Hit them with the one, two steps. pic.twitter.com/hJbGpDegJk
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 14, 2023
20:57 : Not the best start to the second half, but the Bucks are still in control. Bucks up, 85-47, with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter.
20:51: Warriors open the quarter with a 6-0 run. Could a comebac be on the cards?
End of second quarter Bucks 77, Warriors 38
Giannis Antetokounmpo 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
Bobby Portis 17 points, 6 rebounds
Steph Curry 9 points, 3 rebounds
Andrew Wiggins 8 points, 1 rebound
20:34 : Bobby Portis hits the buzzer to give Milwaukee a 39 (!) point lead at the half.
That SHIMMY though 😂🙌
— NBA Top Shot (@nbatopshot) January 14, 2023
8:30 pm: Giannis in a fastbreak is a beautiful thing.
Quick break dimes are good reflexes. (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/m56cBQnnWz
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 14, 2023
8:24: The Bucks lead by 35. This is the biggest deficit the Warriors have had all season.
20:16 : No. No, it’s not.
18 minutes of play…
The Warriors have 10 FGs made and 9 turnovers. #That’s good?
— worldwarrior (@worldwarrior) January 14, 2023
20:14 : The Bucks are unstoppable right now.
Giannis (13 points) and the @Bucks they are hot! 🔥
They are in a 19-3 run on TNT! pic.twitter.com/ZUx9R4bkQe
— NBA (@NBA) January 14, 2023
20:03: Another hit for the Dubs. Gary Payton II is done for the night.
Gary Payton II is out for the night. Tightness in the lower back.
—Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 14, 2023
End of first quarter Bucks 37, Warriors 21
Giannis Antetokounmpo 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Khris Middleton 11 points, 2 assists
Andrew Wiggins 6 points
Jordan Poole 6 points
8:00 pm: The Bucks close the quarter with a run of 8-0. Milwaukee shot 58 percent in the first quarter.
19:51 : Now it’s 163 straight games with a 3-pointer made for Steph Curry, breaking the record previously held by …. Steph Curry. Warriors had missed their first seven 3-pointers until Steph did.
19:45: Golden State timeout. The Bucks lead 16-4 with 7:05 left in the first.
19:43 : GIANNIS!
Giannis doing a volleyball approach to finish off the oop. 😳 pic.twitter.com/XBJj44Wkma
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 14, 2023
19:40: Giannis with the mid-range beauty!
Giannis starting the game with this shot? Bet. pic.twitter.com/mY9w3mEZo9
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 14, 2023
19:33: Coach Bud looks to establish Antetokounmpo early. Giannis is at the free throw line in the first 13 seconds of the game.
before the game
Klay needs to let loose, guys! No time for interviews!
Klay Thompson shortens his TNT interview to loosen up lmaoo pic.twitter.com/8WEg0m70ao
— Alex (@dbs408) January 14, 2023
Both the Warriors and Bucks wear their City Edition jerseys tonight
Before @Warriors Y @Bucks clash on the court, check out their threads for tonight’s game on NBA LockerVision.
GSW-MIL, tonight at 7:30 pm/et on TNT! https://t.co/dwBXJcaBb2 pic.twitter.com/zEE8hos4PA
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2023