The Bucks are still in the mix for the No. 5 seed, just half a game behind Detroit. With the Sixers blatantly tanking, this should’ve been an easy win. Philly has lost nine of its last ten and is keeping most of its rotation on the bench, all to protect that top-six draft pick for 2025. They’re not even trying to hide it at this point.

But Milwaukee hasn’t exactly been rolling either. Damian Lillard is out with a blood clot in his calf, and now things got even messier. Doc Rivers had to leave the bench mid-game on Thursday due to an illness Bucks PR reported, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. That left assistant coach Darvin Ham stepping in “for the time being.”

With everything going on, the Bucks needed someone to step up—and Giannis wasted no time answering the call. He put on a show in the first half, dropping 20 points in 20 minutes while stuffing the stat sheet. By halftime, Milwaukee had clawed its way to a 61-59 lead, despite a strong start from the Sixers.

Darvin Ham taking over for Doc Rivers isn’t exactly new territory for him. He knows Milwaukee well, having been an assistant during their 2021 championship run. Now, he’s back in the mix, stepping up in the middle of a game and trying to keep the Bucks rolling.

His last gig? Running the show in L.A. The Lakers gave him two seasons, and he put together a solid 90-74 record. But playoff losses to the Nuggets—first in the 2023 Western Conference Finals, then again in the first round of 2024—sealed his fate. The front office decided to hit reset, swapping him out for JJ Redick.

Now, Ham finds himself right back where he started, leading the Bucks in the middle of a wild game against the Sixers. And if there’s one thing Milwaukee needs right now, it’s stability—especially with Lillard out indefinitely.

Doc Rivers hands Giannis Antetokounmpo the responsibility

Doc Rivers didn’t waste any time laying it out for Giannis Antetokounmpo—he had to take charge. “You are now literally our point guard,” Rivers told him days before Milwaukee’s matchup against Phoenix. No sugarcoating, no gray areas. Just a challenge. And Giannis? He ran with it.

On Tuesday night, the Bucks snapped their four-game skid with a 133-123 win over the Suns, thanks to a masterclass from their two-time MVP. Antetokounmpo wasn’t just dominant—he orchestrated everything. He put up 37 points, dished out 11 assists, and kept turnovers to just two. And he didn’t stop there—five rebounds, three steals, and a block rounded out his stat sheet.

Brook Lopez had the perfect reaction postgame. “I mean, what can’t Giannis do, right?” And honestly, that was the story of the night. Whether it was scoring, setting up teammates, or shutting down lanes, he had Phoenix scrambling.

The Suns, missing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, couldn’t slow him down. When they clogged the paint, he found open shooters. When they sagged off, he bulldozed to the rim. A no-look dime to Taurean Prince here, a spin move through traffic there—he was in complete control.

Milwaukee shot a ridiculous 68.9%—a franchise record—but their 20 turnovers kept Phoenix in it. When Giannis sat, the offense sputtered, proving how much the team leans on him, especially with Damian Lillard out.

Lopez chipped in 22 points, while Ryan Rollins had a breakout 23-point game. But when it mattered most, Giannis took over again, guiding Milwaukee to a must-win victory.

Rivers praised his leadership, saying, “He gave the ball to the guys in their spot at the right time and in rhythm.” Even Giannis admitted the win felt like a weight lifted. “You enjoy your food better, you enjoy your sleep better… everything is better.”. 

Doc Rivers gave Giannis the keys, and he drove the Bucks straight to a much-needed win. His ability to dominate while elevating his teammates was exactly what Milwaukee needed to snap their losing streak. The Bucks reminded everyone why they’re a force to be reckoned with.