Jenkins Eyes an Eleven-Man Rotation as Bulls Visit Fiserv…

By the Bucks Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 13

Milwaukee fell 90-105 at Charlotte on Sunday and now turns to Chicago, a team still finding its footing under Tiago Splitter. Taylor Jenkins says he wants to cap his rotation at eleven, a plan that leaves several roster spots still in question.

Bucks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Last season

Milwaukee finished 32-50, posting a minus-6.1 scoring differential that ranked near the bottom of the league. Chicago was not much better at 31-51, with an offensive rating of 112.1 and a defensive rating of 117.4. Both franchises missed the playoffs, and both arrive at Wednesday's game still rebuilding around new pieces.

Sunday, Oct. 11

The Bucks fell 90-105 at Charlotte to close their road swing. Tyler Herro led with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists; Kyle Kuzma added 12. It was Milwaukee's second defeat in three preseason outings, against one victory, 128-126 at Oklahoma City, on Oct. 7.

Mon.-Tue., Oct. 12-13

Jenkins said he wants to settle on eleven rotation players, a plan beat writer Jim Owczarski called workable in theory but unresolved in practice. The question is which eleven: six regulars on the roster are 27 or older, and the preseason has not yet separated the younger options fighting for what's left.

Today

Milwaukee hosts Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 14; both clubs sit 0-0 with two days off entering the game. The Bucks have played twice this past week to the Bulls' three, and Chicago is in the middle of its second straight true road game. Neither team's regular rotation is settled yet.

Injuries

Brayden Burries (coach's decision) and Nate Ament (left ankle) are both listed as questionable, each with an estimated return of Oct. 14. Chicago lists Nic Claxton (hamstring), Zach Collins (right toe) and Jaylin Sellers (back) in the same bracket for Wednesday's game.

Next Milwaukee closes its preseason slate at Indiana on Oct. 16, then opens the regular season at Washington on Oct. 21.

When do the Bucks play the Bulls next?

Milwaukee hosts Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 14; the two teams also meet Oct. 23, after the Bucks' preseason finale at Indiana on Oct. 16 and the regular-season opener at Washington on Oct. 21.

Are Nate Ament and Brayden Burries playing against the Bulls?

Both are questionable — Ament for a left ankle issue, Burries for a coach's decision — with Oct. 14 listed as each one's estimated return.