Bucks Stumble in New Year’s Opener Against Nets: A Closer Look at the Loss
The Milwaukee Bucks kicked off 2025 with a disappointing loss to the Brooklyn Nets, continuing a concerning trend of lackluster performances. Despite mounting a late comeback, the Bucks ultimately fell short, leaving fans and the team searching for answers.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Bucks were not playing their best basketball. The team struggled with turnovers and transition defense, allowing the Nets to build a substantial lead that grew to as much as 24 points. While the final turnover count of 14 wasn’t particularly high, the Nets capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 60 points off turnovers in their last two matchups against Milwaukee.
The game felt eerily similar to the New Year’s Eve loss against the Indiana Pacers, with the Bucks starting ice-cold from the field and digging themselves into a deep hole. Despite a valiant effort to close the gap in the fourth quarter, missed opportunities – including a rare Giannis Antetokounmpo missed dunk and layup – proved too much to overcome.
Head coach Doc Rivers expressed his disappointment with the team’s execution and effort in his post-game comments. He emphasized the need for the Bucks to return to the level of play they demonstrated in early December when they were arguably the best team in the league. Rivers acknowledged concerns about a potential letdown following the team’s return from Las Vegas but stressed the importance of regaining focus and consistency.
One bright spot amidst the frustration was the team’s resilience. Despite falling behind by a significant margin, the Bucks refused to quit, mounting a 20-0 run to make it a competitive game in the closing minutes. While this fighting spirit is admirable, it’s clear that the team needs to address its slow starts and inconsistent play to avoid relying on late-game heroics.
The loss highlighted ongoing concerns about the Bucks’ ability to handle young, athletic teams that can pressure the ball and disrupt their offensive flow. While Rivers downplayed this as a systemic issue, pointing to successful performances against similar opponents, it remains an area of focus for improvement as the team looks ahead to potential playoff matchups.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ recent struggles and path forward, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• Andre Jackson Jr.'s Flagrant 2 foul and its impact on the game
• Damian Lillard’s recent shooting struggles and their effect on the offense
• The importance of the upcoming January schedule for the Bucks’ playoff positioning
