The Milwaukee Bucks (1-4) fell to the Memphis Grizzlies (3-3) 122-99 on Thursday night, marking their fourth consecutive loss. Head coach Doc Rivers accepted responsibility for the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for improvement.
“The defensive transition was still awful tonight and so that’s on me,” Rivers said, according to Eric Nehm. “Everything is on me until we get it right. We gotta fix this.”
Memphis showcased a strong performance in the second half, with Ja Morant leading the way. Morant recorded a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, his 12th career triple-double.
The Grizzlies dominated the game, leading by as many as 31 points. Seven players reached double figures, including Santi Aldama, who contributed 19 points and nine rebounds. Jaylen Wells and Scotty Pippen Jr. each added 16 points.
Despite a standout performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 37 points on 17-for-22 shooting, the Bucks struggled offensively. Antetokounmpo also grabbed 11 rebounds but lacked support from his teammates.
Damian Lillard’s shooting woes continued, as he went just 1-for-12 from the field, missing all six of his three-point attempts. Lillard’s struggles have significantly impacted Milwaukee’s offensive efficiency.
The Bucks’ shooting issues were evident, as they made only 9 of 42 attempts from beyond the arc. In contrast, Memphis shot 52% from the field, taking advantage of Milwaukee’s defensive lapses.
Milwaukee entered the game needing to find stability in their shooting. The first half saw them shoot only 42%, allowing Memphis to build a comfortable lead.
While Antetokounmpo’s efforts were commendable, they were insufficient to secure a win. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis added 12 and 11 points, respectively, but the bench failed to provide adequate support.
As the Bucks look to rebound, finding a rhythm on offense will be critical. Lillard’s recent shooting slump, where he has converted only 6 of 27 attempts from three-point range over the last three games, has hampered their performance.
