The San Antonio Spurs season has been filled with ups and downs. Every time they manage to get a few games over .500, a string of disappointing games takes them right back to even. The Spurs started a five-game road trip with a loss to the Chicago Bulls in which they blew a 19-point lead. It’s their second loss in a row where the game was decided in the final minutes. Now they’ll travel north to face the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the best players in the world.

There were plenty of late-game fireworks the last time Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo played each other. Wembanyama’s “he’s arrived” moment came when he stuffed the Greek Freak at the rim in clutch time on national TV. Now the two abnormal superstars are muttered in the same breath and are a must-watch basketball matchup.

Milwaukee has turned things around after a tough start to the year but is 2-4 in their last six games. San Antonio will need to be on their A-game to get back above .500 and bounce back from a disappointing two-game stretch.

San Antonio Spurs (18-18) at Milwaukee Bucks (18-16)

January 8th, 2025 | 8:30 CT

Watch: ESPN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Jeremy Sochan – Out (back), Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League)

Bucks Injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Probable (knee), Andre Jackson Jr. – Probable (back), Khris Middleton – Probable (ankle)

What to watch for

Can the Spurs find an offensive groove?

It’s been tough sledding for the Spurs offense lately. They’ve dropped to 18th in the NBA in points scored per game. It’s been a feast or famine for San Antonio, with the majority of the roster struggling to find offensive consistency. Wembanyama has been the only consistent offensive threat, with the rest of the supporting cast struggling to find its footing. It seems like the team can’t get more than two or three players to have an on-night at the same time. The Bucks are a top-10 defense in the NBA. If San Antonio’s offensive struggles continue, it could get ugly in Milwaukee.

Late game execution

The Spurs have blown two straight games in the fourth quarter. A lot of their issues have come on the offensive end, where they’ve scored 15 and 16 points in the fourth quarter of their last two games. Whether it be dead legs, a lack of execution of the offense, or a lack of play-calling creativity, San Antonio has been brutal down the stretch. The Spurs have the talent to stick around with Milwaukee. Whether they can find ways to create advantages down the stretch could decide the game’s fate.

The rotation without Jeremy Sochan and backup center minutes

Sochan will miss another game on Wednesday night due to a back injury. Without Sochan, the Spurs’ rotation becomes very interesting. Expect to see Stephon Castle in the starting lineup and either Zach Collins or Charles Bassey playing a lot of minutes as the backup five. One of them needs to step up so the Spurs aren’t reliant on playing Wembanyama 36+ minutes, wearing him out late in the game. Without Sochan, we will probably see more of Julian Champagnie, who has been playing great basketball lately.

MILWAUKEE — According to recently released data from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), Milwaukee experienced a 39% drop in homicides from 2022 to 2024.

In 2022, the City of Milwaukee recorded a staggering 215 murders. In 2023, the city had 172 murders. In 2024, that number fell to 132 – the lowest the city has seen in five years. 

Between 2023 and 2024, the city saw a 23% decrease in homicides. 

MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said that while the decline signaled progress, there is still much work to do.

“Yes, we had double-digit reductions, but it could be even more,” Norman said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “Many of those homicides involved kids with handguns, tragically using them against each other. It’s preventable and absolutely unacceptable.”

Despite the promising decline in homicides, other crime categories, including carjackings, auto thefts and robberies, saw increases compared to 2023.

Norman acknowledged the complexity of addressing these trends, noting that the department’s ability to respond is hindered by a staffing shortage.

Another issue dominating the public safety conversation is the role of school resource officers in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Norman stated that discussions with school leaders are ongoing, but Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson expressed frustration with the financial burden falling on taxpayers.

“When you go to a restaurant and order a meal, the chef doesn’t prepare the meal and then pay the bill,” Johnson said. “That’s essentially what we’re being asked to do, and I think it’s wrong for taxpayers and the City of Milwaukee. We will continue working with MPS leadership to get this sorted out.”

Police staffing remains another critical challenge, according to the department. MPD fell short of its recruitment goals in 2024. Under a newly enacted state law, Milwaukee’s state funding is now tied to the city growing its police force over the next decade.

Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 7, 2025) – Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has reassigned forward Ozzy Wiesblatt and defenseman Kevin Gravel to Milwaukee (AHL).

Join us at Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 16 for Preds Golden Hall Induction Night presented by Hunt Brothers® Pizza! This special night will see the franchise honor David Poile, Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne as they become officially inducted into the Preds Golden Hall’s inaugural class. Visit NashvillePredators.com for tickets and more information.