The Milwaukee Bucks have reached the playoffs in each of the past nine seasons, but their hopes of extending that streak are fading as the regular season winds down, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
On Wednesday against Atlanta, Milwaukee led by 13 points after the first quarter but collapsed the rest of the way, getting outscored by 31 points over the final three quarters and losing by 18.
The defeat was Milwaukee’s fourth straight, and the losses have been decisive. The Bucks have been beaten by a combined 97 points during the skid, the largest four-game losing margin in franchise history.
The loss to the Hawks was especially costly because Milwaukee is chasing Atlanta and Charlotte for the final play-in tournament spots. With 21 games remaining, the Bucks now trail Atlanta by five games and Charlotte by four-and-a-half.
“I feel like we have the answers,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded 24 points, five rebounds and four assists in his second game back from a calf strain. “The team is extremely talented. We have guys that can put the ball on the floor, guys that can put the ball in the basket.
“At the end of the day, it’s like your spirit, what are you playing for? That’s what we gotta decide. Are we going to wave the white flag, or are we going to come together in the last 21 games and try to play hard and try to make a push?
“Atlanta was the team above us, and a game like this counts for two. I feel like we came out and set the tone. We were shooting 60 percent from the field, but after that, we just fell flat.”
Bucks Notes: Losing Streak, Rivers, Kuzma https://t.co/prNH3YSodG pic.twitter.com/QXwBG5gBav
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 7, 2026
