Bucks Roll Past Pelicans Without Giannis 139-118

But Rollins wasn’t alone. Former LSU standout Cam Thomas returned to Louisiana with a vengeance, pouring in 27 points in just 21 minutes off the bench. Thomas was electric, showcasing the scoring touch that made him a college star just down the road in Baton Rouge.

Kevin Porter Jr. added 25 points to the effort, while Bobby Portis chipped in 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Bucks’ bench combined for 64 points from just four players—Portis, Thomas, Pete Nance, and Ousmane Dieng—demonstrating the depth that’s carried them through Antetokounmpo’s absence.

Hot Shooting Dooms New Orleans

Milwaukee shot a blistering 59.8% from the field and connected on 15 of 36 three-point attempts (41.7%). The Bucks were particularly lethal in the fourth quarter, where they outscored New Orleans 36-22 to put the game out of reach.

After the Pelicans cut the deficit to 108-102 on a Zion Williamson layup early in the final frame, Milwaukee responded with a crushing 14-4 run. Nance hit two triples and added a layup during that decisive stretch, and New Orleans never threatened again.

Williamson’s Effort Not Enough

Zion Williamson led all scorers with 32 points for the Pelicans, but the home team couldn’t overcome Milwaukee’s balanced attack and superior shooting. The Pelicans shot just 16% from beyond the arc (4-of-25), a fatal flaw against a Bucks team that was draining shots from all over the floor.

New Orleans was also without Trey Murphy III, who sat out with a sore right shoulder. Murphy, the team’s leading scorer at 22.1 points per game, left a massive void in the Pelicans’ offensive arsenal.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears added 16 points, and Derik Queen contributed 18, but the Pelicans’ season continues to spiral. At 15-42, New Orleans is firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Milwaukee’s Playoff Push

The victory improved Milwaukee to 24-30, keeping them within striking distance of a playoff spot despite a season marred by injuries to their franchise player. Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since January 23 with a strained right calf, an injury that was expected to cost him four weeks.

With exactly four weeks having passed, the two-time MVP hinted at a potential return soon. “I’m healthy today, I just got to check the boxes,” Antetokounmpo told NBA Today earlier in the week.

The Bucks have gone 3-4 in games without their star, but this recent surge—winning six of their last seven—has kept their postseason hopes alive.

What’s Next

Milwaukee returns home to host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, looking to extend its winning streak to four games. The Bucks will hope to keep building momentum before Antetokounmpo’s eventual return.

The Pelicans face a quick turnaround, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. With Murphy’s status uncertain and the losses piling up, New Orleans is running out of time to salvage anything from this disappointing season.