As Kyle wrote in the preview, this game had legitimate stakes—a win for the Philadelphia 76ers (and other results) could have them move up to sixth place and avoid the play-in game(s), but a loss could have them in the 9-10 game against the Miami Heat. For the first half, the Bucks handled this well, taking a four-point lead into the main break. But a dismal third quarter put the game beyond reach, and the Bucks closed out their 2025-26 season, fittingly, with a loss. Read our full summary of the game here
and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Player Grades
Jericho Sims
31 minutes, 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 steal, 7/9 FG, 1/1 FT, -19
The improved Sims continued to show confidence in his new skillset, especially when creating for others. He found AJ Green with an absolute dime on a backdoor cut in the first half. Then, on the next possession, found Taurean Prince for a kick-out corner three. He also continued his ascension catching and finishing in traffic, especially as the game wore on.
Grade: B
Ousmane Dieng
41 minutes, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1, steal, 6 turnovers, 4/12 FG, 0/6 3PT, 3/3 FT, -12
Dieng’s been thrown into the fire as the Bucks’ primary (only?) ball handler to end the season. Last night, it led to some ugly turnovers but, generally, he looked comfortable in the role. As Wes Matthews noted, he’s a “real complete player and [has] so much room to get better.” Next year, where he can be used as a more natural secondary ball handler, he certainly will be.
Grade: C
AJ Green
36 minutes, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 7/16 FG, 5/14 3PT, 1/1 FT, -23
The quest was clear from the start—get the Bucks’ three-point record—but Green didn’t take any bad shots getting there. If anything, it spoke to what should’ve been all season, especially after all the talk preseason about the Bucks upping their three-point volume. However, after a long campaign, Green’s legs failed him in the second half, with many of his attempts falling short. Still, it was a night to remember.
Grade: B
Taurean Prince
32 minutes, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal, 5/14 FG, 3/10 3PT, 1/1 FT, -30
Prince got to his spots and was aggressive, if not accurate, with his shooting. He did “lead” the team with a plus/minus of -30, though.
Grade: C
Cormac Ryan
38 minutes, 22 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 8/20 FG, 3/12 3PT, 3/3 FT, -18
Ryan again looked more than comfortable in NBA action, playing freely and purposefully. He showed he’s got hops too, with a come-from-nowhere put-back dunk off a missed Andre Jackson Jr. free throw that had the bench hyped. Perhaps most impressive, however, was Ryan’s ability to find points in the paint via crafty finishes at the rim, floaters, or short turnarounds. He also hit the boards well, leading to a career-first double-double. Ryan’s got game and will get a chance to showcase it again next season.
Grade: B+
Andre Jackson Jr.
30 minutes, 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3/10 FG, 0/2 3PT, 3/8 FT, -2
A-Jax had a monster jam in transition in the first quarter and generally played like a wound-up Energizer bunny. But, as is often the case with A-Jax, there’s a lot of action for little difference. I’d be surprised to see him back in Milwaukee next season.
Grade: C
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
27 minutes, 8 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3/6 FG, 2/4 FT, -2
Thanasis was active—as always—early, recording a stat in each of the major categories in the first quarter. In the second, he showed off a sneaky floater and had a filthy spin off a fake handoff that almost ended in a poster dunk. The six assists were a nice surprise too.
Grade: C+
Doc Rivers
In his final game as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Rivers led the team to a halftime lead against a 76ers team with stakes on the line. The third quarter was ugly, but with so few players at his disposal, there’s not much he could have done about that. Whether by choice or lack of options, Rivers continued to put the ball in Dieng’s hands, expand Sims’ game, and provide opportunities to Ryan, all moves that could (and should) help the Bucks moving forward. For those, he gets credit.
Grade: B
Garbage Time: Alex Antetokounmpo
Inactive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, Gary Trent Jr., Pete Nance, Gary Harris.
Bonus Bucks Bits
- Prior to the game, Rivers couldn’t help but take a jab at ex-player Joel Embiid: “It’s that time of year, right? Appendicitis. I mean, you can’t make it up. You really can’t.”
- Green’s third three of the first quarter put him ahead of Ray Allen as the Bucks’ all-time record holder for three-pointers made in a single season (230). What an achievement for the Iowa native who went from being undrafted in 2022, to landing a two-way contract, and then signing long-term prior to the season.
- The Bucks’ ball movement continued to impress early—nine assists on 11 made field goals in the first quarter. At the half, they had 17 on 22, while at three-quarter time, they had 20 on 28. They ended the game with 26 helpers on 39 made field goals.
- Green had double-digit three-point attempts just 13 times across the Bucks’ first 75 games. Over the final seven, he had four.
- After going for 63 points against the Nets, Green and Ryan combined for 34 in the first half. The burden clearly took its toll, though, as they combined for only seven points in the second half.
- The Bucks struggled in the third quarter, going 1-15 from three, while the 76ers shot 6/11 and turned a four-point half time deficit into an 18-point lead.
- Ex-Buck MarJon Beauchamp got fourth-quarter minutes, finishing with a free throw and a dunk off an offensive rebound.
- The 76ers tried everything they could to get Kyle Lowry a basket—including a past-half-court heave—in what might have been his final NBA game. While he couldn’t hit any of his five attempts, he’s had a stellar career. All the best, Kyle.
- With news that he’s departing as head coach, Rivers finishes up sixth all-time with 1,194 career wins. While his Bucks tenure didn’t go as planned, he’s given a heck of a lot to basketball and the NBA. Thanks, Doc.
Up Next
That’s a wrap on the season, folks. The Bucks will be back in action during Summer League in July and then for preseason play sometime in October. In the meantime, we’ll keep you posted with plenty of offseason coverage.
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