Kyle Kuzma Leads Milwaukee Past New Orleans Amid Trade Deadline Uncertainty
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, with Kyle Kuzma carrying the offensive load as the team navigates a critical stretch shadowed by questions surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Kuzma tied a season high with 31 points, adding 10 rebounds and 6 assists in the victory, helping Milwaukee build momentum heading into the NBA trade deadline Thursday afternoon.
Bucks Bounce Back Without Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee snapped a five-game losing streak Tuesday with a dominant 131-115 win over Chicago, and Wednesday’s performance against New Orleans demonstrated the team can compete without their franchise centerpiece. Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since Jan. 23 with a right calf strain, his absence coinciding with intensifying trade speculation as the deadline looms.
“This is the trade deadline and there are a lot of emotions that go with that,” Kuzma said. “You can’t escape the talk because of the world we live in, but that’s why they pay us the big bucks.”
Five of Kuzma’s teammates also scored in double figures Wednesday, showcasing depth that could prove valuable regardless of Antetokounmpo’s status. The Bucks’ ability to generate offensive firepower without their star reflects improved ball movement and shot-making during their recent resurgence.
Pelicans Offense Continues to Falter
New Orleans arrived in Milwaukee on a three-game road skid, with offensive inconsistency plaguing the struggling franchise. The Pelicans held a commanding 64-49 halftime lead Monday in Charlotte before being outscored 53-31 in the second half, a pattern of second-half collapses that has defined their season.
“You’ve got to score more than 31 points in a half to get a win,” interim head coach James Borrego said following the Charlotte loss.
Despite improvements in defensive efficiency, the Pelicans rank 22nd in the NBA in scoring at 114.0 points per game. Borrego has implemented a larger starting lineup to bolster defense, and while that strategy has yielded results—New Orleans has allowed just 109.7 points over its past six games—the offense has failed to capitalize on the defensive strides.
Bucks Eye Consecutive Wins
Milwaukee seeks to record consecutive victories for the first time since early January. The win over New Orleans, combined with Tuesday’s dominant performance against Chicago, signals potential stabilization for a team that had appeared adrift midseason. Whether Antetokounmpo remains on the roster after Thursday’s deadline could reshape the franchise’s trajectory for the remainder of the season and beyond.
