The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off the upset on Wednesday they were looking for to pick up a split in Orlando, improving to 4-1 over their last five games. They got out of town and headed for Oklahoma City, where another unlikely win would really yield some nice momentum entering the start of NBA season’s stretch run. 

Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo still hopes to play when healthy and participate in the postseason, so Milwaukee’s decision not to trade him at the trade deadline means they’re alive for a play-in spot, having moved within just two games of the Atlanta Hawks entering this final test entering the All-Star break. 

Oklahoma City owns the NBA’s best record, coming off a lopsided win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. However, the Thunder is just 4-2 this month, same as the Bucks, and has struggled after a 24-1 start, putting themselves in danger of matching last season’s entire loss total.

Milwaukee had dropped six of seven before posting wins over the Bulls, Pelicans and Pacers on its recent homestand. The Bucks recorded their second-highest scoring output of the season in a 141-137 overtime win on Feb. 4 and then held Indiana to 99 in their most recent outing on Feb. 6, marking the first time since Jan. 4 and just the fourth time all season in which they held a team under the century mark.

Antetokounmpo will miss his ninth straight contest following his latest calf strain, but his original timetable for returning from this latest injury makes a return possible shortly after the break. The Bucks announced that he’d miss the All-Star game, although he’ll be present in L.A. for all the festivities.

The Bucks saw newly signed guard Cam Thomas score 34 points to fuel a 116-108 upset in Orlando on Wednesday. 

The Thunder are 22-5 at home and have a 10-4 mark against Eastern Conference opposition Milwaukee is 10-18 on the road and 5-12 against West foes.

Vitals – How to Watch Bucks at Thunder

Game date, time and location: Thursday, Feb. 12, 7:40 p.m. EST, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

TV: Amazon Prime Video

Radio:  WTMJ (Bucks), KWPN/WWLS (Thunder)

Bucks look to even series with Orlando after brutal second half

The Milwaukee Bucks (22-30) visit the Orlando Magic (42-13) in the first of three games before we head into the NBA All-Star hiatus.

Oklahoma City won 122-102 on Jan. 21 in the first meeting at Fiserv Forum. This concludes the season series between these teams and won’t feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jalen Williams, all All-Stars last season but injured heading into the break. 

OKC led 38-18 after a quarter in the first matchup, routing the Bucks behind 40 points and 11 assists from SGA. Oklahoma City has won the last four matchups against the Bucks by 16 or more points, ending a run of six straight losses. 

The Bucks and Thunder are even 77-77 dating back to 1968.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings) 

Spread: Thunder -11.5 (-112), Bucks +11.5 (-108)

Moneyline: Thunder -500, Bucks +380

Total: 213.5 (Over -108, Under -112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

BUCKS

F Kyle Kuzma

F Myles Turner

C Jericho Sims

G Kevin Porter Jr.

G AJ Green

THUNDER

F Aaron Wiggins

F Kenrich Williams

C Chet Holmgren

G Cason Wallace

G Lu Dort

INJURY REPORT

BUCKS

Ryan Rollins: Out – Right Foot Plantar Fascitis

Kyle Kuzma: Available – Left Foot Soreness

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out – Right Calf Strain

Taurean Prince: Out – Neck Surgery Recovery

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out – G League (Two-way)

THUNDER

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Out – Abdominal Strain

Jalen Williams: Out – Right Hamstring Sprain

Ajay Mitchell: Out – Abdominal Strain/Ankle Sprain

Isaiah Hartenstein: Out- Right Soleus Strain Maintenance

Branden Carlson: Out – Lower Back Spasms

Thomas Sorber: Out – Right ACL Surgical Recovery

QUOTABLE

Bucks forward Bobby Portis on his 3-point shootout expectations: “I know I’m not the favorite to win or maybe second, third or fourth – probably picked last. But that’s why we rep the underdog.”

More Milwaukee Bucks Stories

READ MORE FROM OUR 2026 WEDDING FEATURE HERE

We met in Hammond, Louisiana. [Brooke was born and raised in Hammond, while Jenn arrived in 2010 from Mexico.] We spent our preteen and teenage years in the same schools but never crossed paths until college. It’s as if the universe patiently waited for the perfect moment. That moment came when we both worked at a local Mexican restaurant. We became instant friends and were inseparable.  

We were both in on-and-off relationships with other people, but our growing attraction eventually ended those chapters and began a new one together. In a small conservative town, that wasn’t always easy.  

We began dating in March of 2018, adopted a dog and moved in together that summer. The LGBTQ+ community was tolerated in Hammond, but not widely accepted, so we kept our relationship private for nearly two years. When we finally came out as a couple, some people embraced us wholeheartedly, while others met us with the resistance we had feared. That experience strengthened our resolve to find a community where we could live authentically, surrounded by acceptance and love. 

Brooke’s work as a nurse allowed her to travel, helping hospitals in need during the COVID pandemic. When the last contract ended, we didn’t have a next stop in mind – so we took a leap and accepted the highest-paying offer. That’s how we ended up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin … in January. 

The city – and its people – won us over. One weekend, we wandered into a local brunch spot and the bartender invited us to an event their wife was hosting at a local bookstore,  the launch of a zine celebrating queer professionals. That night, surrounded by kind and creative people, we felt something click. Milwaukee was where we were meant to be. 

This past March, we celebrated seven years together, and in August, we joyfully exercised our right to marriage.

The Magic Moment

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man accused of stabbing a woman more than 20 times appeared in court Wednesday, where he asked to apologize to the victim’s family.

What we know:

Prosecutors say 39-year-old Mile Dukic killed 44-year-old Amanda Varisco last Thursday inside her home near 36th and National. Investigators said the two lived together and had been in a relationship.

Cuffed to a hospital bed, Dukic appeared by video during the hearing.

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“Is the family of the person who is deceased, who I had relations with, there? If they’re there, I want to say I apologize,” said Dukic, who has been charged with homicide.

Court records show the pair argued before Varisco tried to leave. Prosecutors said Dukic struck her several times and stabbed her repeatedly.

“He, then, sent a text message to her daughter saying, ‘I killed your mom,’” said Gregg Herman, a prosecutor.

The court commissioner set Dukic’s bail at $500,000 cash.

Local perspective:

Advocates tracking domestic violence cases say the killing is part of a troubling pattern in Milwaukee County.

“Extremely concerning that we’ve had so many,” said Carmen Pitre, CEO of the Sojourner Family Peace Center.

Petri said at this point last year, advocates had recorded no domestic violence homicides.

“We started off in a much more violent way this year,” Petri said.

Pitre said she could not pinpoint why the numbers are higher but noted that stress can intensify volatile situations. She added that gaps in housing, food and other basic needs may force people to remain in dangerous environments.

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“Look for someone in your life that feels safe,” Petri said. “We need to invest in healing for everybody, for those that are hurting others and those who are being hurt.”

Petri said community intervention is critical before violence escalates and pointed to several local resources available to those seeking help.

What you can do:

For domestic violence and sexual assault resources, visit the City of Milwaukee’s Community Wellness and Safety page. 

What’s next:

Dukic is scheduled to return to court next week.