Bucks fall apart late in loss to Bulls after early start in home opener

The Milwaukee Bucks moved up their home opener to 3 p.m. local time to avoid a conflict with the World Series. In the final minutes, they played like they also wanted to get home to watch the game.

After putting up 104 points in the first three quarters, the Bucks collapsed in the final minutes of a 132-125 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Fans have to hope the Milwaukee Brewers can close stronger in Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Milwaukee Bucks went cold down the stretch

The Bucks are still finding their way after a dramatic roster overhaul in the offseason. Franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Miami Heat for four players. The Bucks traded Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, drafted Brayden Burries and Nate Ament and released Kevin Porter Jr.

It could take the team some time to gel, but they do have a solid roster on paper. Tyler Herro, who scored 34 points Friday, was an All-Star in 2025, the same year Myles Turner played center for a team that went to the NBA Finals. Four Bucks were rotation players on a 43-win Heat team last season.

That talent was on display when the Bucks raced out to an early 15-point lead and then put up 42 points in the third quarter. But the unfamiliarity of the new teammates may have come through in the final minutes, when the Bucks missed three shots and two free throws and turned the ball over twice as the Bulls took control.

World Series forced Milwaukee Bucks into early start

Starting the game four hours earlier than normal was a decision the team made after the Brewers advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1982. It was a nice accommodation for local fans, while also an acknowledgement that the Bucks themselves no longer have championship aspirations.

Maybe the late-game struggles came as a result of trying to close out a game at a time they'd normally be stretching and getting dressed in the locker room. Maybe it was the general unfamiliarity with each other, which led to nine Bucks turnovers in the final quarter, including three steals from Noa Essengue, playing in just his fourth NBA game.

But it could also be that many of the Bucks realize their time in Milwaukee may be brief. Herro, Kyle Kuzma and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are in the final year of their contracts. Turner is a trade candidate. Only the two rookies can have any confidence they're in Milwaukee's long-term plans.

However, the Brewers do provide a source of optimism for the Bucks. They haven't hesitated to trade their own stars, like 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, who they flipped for infielder Joey Ortiz and lights-out reliever DL Hall before the 2024 season. A rebuild can be painful, but it doesn't have to last long.

Until then, the Bucks need their offensive effort to last a full 48 minutes. Failing that, this season is going to feel extremely long.