Milwaukee, WI
Bucks-Pacers: Milwaukee is on the verge of another first-round exit, though this time bad luck is to blame
This time a year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were licking their wounds and contemplating a path forward after a historic first-round collapse against the Miami Heat, in which they became the sixth team to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round since the league adopted a 16-team playoff format in 1984.
Two head coaches, a blockbuster trade and another season later, they are staring another first-round exit in the face. Despite a valiant effort on Sunday night in Indianapolis, they ran out of steam in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and fell to the Indiana Pacers, 126-113.
As the Bucks return home, they do so down 3-1 — a deficit they have never overcome in franchise history. Considering the circumstances, it’s unlikely this will be the first time. While last season came to an early end because the players and coaching staff failed in the biggest moments, the Bucks are being done in by sheer bad luck this time around.
A missing MVP
In the third quarter of the Bucks’ matchup with the Boston Celtics on April 9, the team was cruising to one of its best wins of the season when Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly collapsed and grabbed for his lower left leg. The initial fear emanating from him, his teammates and the entire arena that night was palpable. Non-contact leg injuries are among the worst sights on a basketball court.
Thankfully, the MRI on his leg revealed no Achilles tendon damage, but it did indicate a calf strain that has kept him off the court ever since. It remains unclear when, or if, he’s going to play again this season, and that answer might depend on whether the Bucks can salvage a victory on Tuesday night in Game 5.
Antetokounmpo’s workout on Sunday morning “went well,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “He moved, He shot. He’s running now with no resistance, so those are all very good signs.” Rivers added that he was “optimistic” that Antetokounmpo would see the floor, but offered no specific timeline.
Down goes Lillard
In the lead up to this series, Damian Lillard was not on the practice court with the Bucks. Maintenance was the explanation. Lillard had been battling a few nagging injuries — adductor, groin, Achilles — and the team wanted to be cautious with Antetokounmpo already sidelined. It was not until April 19, two days before Game 1, that Lillard was able to go through a full practice. He admitted he was “concerned” about some of the problems at first, but said the time off had him feeling great.
That was evident in the first half of Game 1, as he poured in a record-setting 35 points to get the Bucks off to a winning start in the series. The Pacers’ relentless pressure seemed to wear him down after that, however, and in Game 3 everything all fell apart. He twisted his knee in an awkward collision with Pascal Siakam in the first quarter, then re-aggravated his Achilles injury in the closing seconds of regulation.
Lillard said during his post-game press conference on Friday that his “plan” was to play in Game 4, but his Achilles would not cooperate. He didn’t do anything on the court on Sunday and the team soon announced he was out for the game. Rivers would not rule him out for the series, but much like Antetokounmpo he may need his teammates to extend the season if he wants to get back out there.
Middleton’s injury woes continue
A few minutes into the first quarter of Game 2 earlier this week, Khris Middleton dribbled to his left off a screen and was fouled by Siakam. In the process, he stepped on Siakam’s foot and rolled his right ankle. A few minutes later, he hobbled back to the locker room, though he eventually returned after getting his ankle re-taped. He was ineffective from that point on, finishing with 15 points on 14 shots in the Bucks’ loss.
Middleton didn’t practice in between Games 2 and 3, and there was concern he wouldn’t be able to go on Friday night. In the end, he suited up and played one of the best games of his career on a hobbled ankle, though it ended in defeat. That would not be the last of his ankle problems.
Early in the third quarter of Game 4, Myles Turner landed on his leg after a layup attempt and he tweaked his left ankle. Again, he stayed in the game, but shot 4-of-12 following that incident.
It appears Middleton will soldier on, but to what effect remains to be seen. Expecting another performance like Game 3 is asking a lot on two bad ankles. The Bucks may need him to summon one, however, if they want to keep playing beyond Tuesday night.
Assuming the Bucks lose this series, general manager Jon Horst and the rest of the front office will face some tough questions about this season and their role in the outcome. There was plenty they could, and should, have done differently over the past year. The devastating rash of injuries that cost the team its two best players at the most important moment, however, will not be on the list of mistakes.
As the Bucks know better than most franchises, sometimes you just have bad luck.
MILWAUKEE — A truck drove through the Grace Coffee Co. in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward on early Friday morning, the owners announced in a social media post.
Due to the extensive damage that was done, the coffee shop will be closed until further notice.
TMJ4
“We’re incredibly grateful no one was hurt, and we’ll keep you updated as we begin repairs,” the coffee shop said in the post.
TMJ4 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department but have yet to hear back.
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MPS cuts face backlash
Milwaukee Public Schools plans about 200 layoffs to close a $46 million budget gap, but union leaders say cuts could impact student safety while district leaders say no classroom teachers will be eliminated.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools is planning to cut roughly 200 positions next school year as the district works to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap — but there’s disagreement over which roles will be impacted.
What we know:
District leaders say the goal is to close a roughly $46 million shortfall, prompting changes that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says are necessary.
Milwaukee Public Schools said about 201 staff members will be impacted. District leaders say no classroom teachers, counselors or social workers will be cut — something the teachers’ union disputes.
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The reductions stem from a previously approved plan to eliminate about 260 non-classroom roles. The final number dropped after retirements and existing vacancies. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved that plan on March 9.
What they’re saying:
“We have a $50 million deficit, we are for sure not going to be able to do business the same way that we’ve been able to do business,” Cassellius said. “Change is just hard. It’s just hard. And every single one of our employees is so important.”
But some educators say the cuts go too far.
“MTEA is setting up a distress signal. We are talking about our teachers, art teachers, music teachers, physical education teachers, counselors — things that the voters of referendum of Milwaukee actually voted for,” said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. “Staffing is being cut to the extent that they are concerned about student safety.”
Cassellius acknowledged the uncertainty and asked school leaders for patience.
“We just have to for sure know our budget situation, where we’re at with that after these cuts are made in order to make those decisions,” she said. “So I’m asking my principals, be patient with us.”
By the numbers:
The district outlined the 201 affected positions as:
- 70 central office roles
- 62 educators with a teaching license but not assigned to one classroom
- 59 assistant principals
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MPS says the savings will support new class size guidelines, including:
- 18 students per teacher in K3
- 20 students per teacher in K4
- 22 students per teacher in K5
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
District leaders say no students will be asked to leave a school to meet class size guidelines. Officials say they are working with schools that may not have space or that require larger classes based on specific programs.
What’s next:
Milwaukee Public Schools plans to present its proposed 2026–27 budget to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in May.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by Milwaukee Public Schools and prior FOX6 coverage.
What’s the main story line of the 2026 Brewers season?
Curt Hogg and JR Radcliffe chat about the overriding storyline for the 2026 Brewers on the cusp of opening day, part of the ‘Microbrew’ podcast.
Just before the pitch clock hits zero, the Milwaukee Brewers released a rundown of channels on cable and satellite for game broadcasts, mere hours before the 1:10 p.m. CT first pitch on Opening Day, Thursday, March 26.
The club said channels include 1263 on XFinity, 670 on DirecTV, 1743 on U-Verse, and 319 or 469 on Spectrum. The broadcasts are also listed as available on streaming service Fubo.
The Brewers are pointing fans to a channel-finding tool on their web site at Brewers.com/watch, though in the moments after the announcement, the channel finder was not yet locating details for Spectrum customers for Milwaukee-area zip codes. A club spokesperson said Major League Baseball was aware of the error and the games would indeed air on Spectrum in Milwaukee.
The built-in Spectrum guide still showed Channel 308 as the “BREW” offering in Milwaukee, with Brewers Live Pregame scheduled to begin at noon CT and baseball at 1 p.m. March 26.
With the February announcement of a switchover from FanDuel Sports Wisconsin to Major League Baseball productions in 2026, MLB negotiations have gone down to the wire with the various providers around Wisconsin. Several teams covered by Main Street Sports, which operated the FanDuel brand, have been in a similar boat this offseason.
Brewers fans aren’t alone in experiencing the late-arriving channel information. Maury Brown of Forbes has been keeping track of all the late-arriving channel announcements for teams around baseball, specifically those that were covered by the Main Street Sports. As of 7 a.m. March 26, the Royals, Rays, Tigers and Braves also still hadn’t released channel listings.
Streaming customers who used the FanDuel Sports Wisconsin app in previous years can use the new Brewers.TV option to once again watch games. The opener is also one of 10 games simulcast on over-the-air channels this season, including WITI-TV (Channel 6) in Milwaukee.
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