The Bucks took down the Golden State Warriors Blue 97-83 to secure their first win in the California Classic. Milwaukee busted a tense, back-and-forth game wide open in the third quarter, mixing defensive versatility with lethal transition offense and catching fire from three-point range late. B.J. Boston and Bogoljub Marković led Milwaukee with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Second-year guard Ryan Nembhard scored 15 points for the Warriors Blue.
Game Recap
The Bucks began the game with a starting
five of Kira Lewis Jr., Cormac Ryan, Markovic, Rafael Castro, and Malique Lewis. The Golden State Warriors Blue started Nick Boyd, Colby Jones, Nembhard, David Green, and Jacksen Moni. No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg and No. 54 overall pick Lajae Jones are currently playing with the Warriors’ Gold team. Brayden Burries and Nate Ament arrived at the arena in street clothes and didn’t log any minutes.
Marković, the 2025 draft-and-stash that won the Serbia league’s MVP last season, scored the Bucks’ first Summer League points after getting on the receiving end of a Castro dime. However, the Warriors ran off to a 9-2 run, led by a pair of Moni triples. The game was fast-paced, but the Warriors found the best looks of the quarter. The Bucks rotated guys frequently throughout the game — ten players saw first-quarter minutes — but one unifying trait among them seemed to be getting out quickly in transition and turning defensive actions into points. Castro, in particular, was everywhere on the defensive end. The 2025-26 National Defensive Player of the Year finalist used his 85-inch wingspan to apply an insane amount of pressure everywhere on the court. However, the Bucks looked shaky on offense. They didn’t make any of their six three-point attempts and looked frustrated by the Warriors’ rim protection. The Bucks ended the first quarter down seven points, 25-18.
It was more of the same for the Bucks, who struggled on offense and were burned on transition defense in the second quarter. What can you expect from the first game of Summer League ball? However, there were real glimmers of brilliance, especially among the Bucks’ two-way players. Lewis fought hard inside and came up with a couple of second-chance points. Castro showed exciting versatility on the pick-and-roll, either barreling down the lane or popping outside and finding an open man. Despite a slow start, Ryan found his footing and began knocking down threes. Marković also looked very encouraging in his limited minutes, whether it was displaying some advanced court vision, showcasing a gentle touch off the glass, or creating separation with his footwork. He looks much more suited to the NBA’s tempo and physicality, and it’s evident his game has improved since last year. The Bucks and Warriors traded blows for the second quarter, with neither team able to gain a real advantage until Milwaukee embarked on a run towards the end of the half. Boopie Miller’s quick midrange pull-up trimmed the Warriors’ lead to just two by the end of the quarter, with the Bucks trailing, 45-43.
The Bucks jumped out to a 10-3 run immediately after halftime. Ryan knocked down a three-point shot and converted an and-one, while Lewis finished off a pair of driving layups. The Bucks looked really interesting when they were switching off on pick-and-rolls, especially with Markovic, Castro, and Lewis in the frontcourt. That level of peskiness on the perimeter and toughness on the block allowed them to frustrate the Warriors on offense and secure a 13-point lead. As the third quarter continued, it seemed like the Bucks caught their second wind. Luke Travers made some impressive hustle plays, and the Bucks scooped up several offensive rebounds. B.J. Boston found his offensive rhythm, and he looked nearly unstoppable when he got downhill. The Warriors looked increasingly out of answers to an aggressive Bucks defense. Milwaukee outscored the Warriors by 21 points during the third quarter, putting them up 77-58 with the final frame to go.
The Bucks continued to flow in the final quarter. Zack Austin and Miller came up with some impressive acrobatic finishes, and they continued to force turnovers and keep Golden State from generating good looks. They looked truly inspired. In one play, Marković dove into the Warriors’ bench to save a loose ball, which triggered a fast break that ended with Lewis finishing through contact to convert an and-one layup. The Bucks slowed the game down and went back-and-forth with the Warriors, who attempted to mount a comeback in the game’s dying moments but didn’t have enough time. Lewis effectively iced the game with a logo three as the shot clock expired to secure the Bucks’ first Summer League victory.
Stat That Stood Out
Rafael Castro picked up four steals today, a game-high. He is very strong defensively, and this game proved it. Castro was one of the most interesting undrafted prospects because of his elite agility and athleticism, along with his strong positional size and wingspan. Today showed it. Castro was a real nuisance for the Warriors’ offense today. If he can shore up some of his rougher offensive deficiencies, Castro will be a real two-way player who can improve the Bucks.
