The Week Ahead: Four Preseason Games Stand Between Milwaukee…

By the Bucks Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 3

The Bucks open their preseason slate Monday against the Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum, then play three more exhibition games before the Oct. 21 regular-season opener at Washington. Saturday's open practice offered the first real look at how Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis carry themselves in front of a crowd.

Bucks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Entering the week

No Bucks player carries an injury designation into the week, aside from the wrap Green wore through Saturday's shooting and skills contests, which did not stop him from winning. A clean injury report matters for a staff that has yet to see this group at full strength together, let alone in a game that counts.

Oct. 3

Taylor Jenkins skipped a scripted practice for an all-star format at Fiserv Forum, pairing skills drills with a 3-point contest. AJ Green beat Ryan Rollins for that title despite a wrap on his shooting thumb that did not slow him. Kam Jones, the former Marquette star, won the skills challenge, and newcomers Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis addressed the crowd for the first time as Bucks.

Oct. 5

The preseason opens at Fiserv Forum against the Timberwolves, the first game under Jenkins and the first competitive look at a roster built around Tyler Herro, Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma. Saturday's crowd saw scrimmages and shooting contests; Monday brings an actual opponent, officials and a scoreboard that counts toward nothing but still tells Jenkins something real.

Oct. 7-11

Milwaukee goes on the road twice in five days, at the Thunder on Oct. 7 and at the Hornets on Oct. 11. Both are preseason games only, but they are Jenkins' first chance to see how this remade roster holds up away from Fiserv Forum, with four days between stops to adjust rotations before the trip home.

Oct. 14

The preseason closes at Fiserv Forum against the Bulls, Milwaukee's last tune-up before games start counting. By then Jenkins will have had four exhibitions to settle rotations for a 21-man roster before it boards a plane for the regular-season opener against the Wizards a week later.

Next The regular season opens Oct. 21 on the road against the Wizards, Milwaukee's first game that counts since last season's 32-50 finish.

When do the Bucks play their first preseason game?

Milwaukee opens the preseason at home against the Timberwolves on Oct. 5, 2026, at Fiserv Forum.

When does the Bucks' regular season start?

The regular season opens Oct. 21, 2026, on the road against the Washington Wizards.