Former Thunder Star Leads Milwaukee to Victory
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-93 on Thursday night in their final matchup before the All-Star break, with former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng putting on a dominant performance in his second game with his new team.
Dieng, traded by Oklahoma City just before the deadline, delivered 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocks for the Bucks. The 6-foot-9 Frenchman, who was a G-League Finals MVP with the Oklahoma City Blue in 2024, has made an immediate impact since joining Milwaukee, capping a strong performance that showcased his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Stars Sidelined for Both Squads
Both teams faced significant roster challenges heading into this matchup. The Bucks played without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined by a right calf strain, while the Thunder were missing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal injury. Oklahoma City also lacked co-star Jalen Williams, who suffered a right hamstring strain late in their previous game against Phoenix.
Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers was also absent, attending a funeral, with assistant Darvin Ham filling in to guide the team.
Balanced Scoring Powers Bucks Victory
The Bucks’ depth shined throughout the matchup. AJ Green contributed 17 points while Bobby Portis added 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder countered with solid efforts from Isaiah Joe, who scored 17 points, and Chet Holmgren, who finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Milwaukee’s balanced attack.
Milwaukee controlled most of the first half, leading 67-55 at intermission. The Bucks extended their advantage in the third quarter, limiting the Thunder to 18 points while building an 89-73 lead heading into the final period. By the fourth quarter, Milwaukee’s advantage ballooned to 24 points.
Historic NBA Debut Amid the Action
The game also marked a significant moment in Thunder history when Nikola Topic made his NBA debut. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Topic had missed both his rookie season due to a torn ACL and this entire season following a testicular cancer diagnosis. He entered late in the first quarter to a loud ovation from the home crowd, finishing with two points, one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes.
Looking ahead: The Bucks (23-30) visit New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 20, while the Thunder (42-14) host Brooklyn on the same date. Both Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander are scheduled for re-evaluation after the All-Star break.
