The Bucks are 0-1 after Wednesday's 128-116 loss at Washington, and they host Chicago tonight in their home opener. That game starts a run of four games in six days, including a back-to-back at Philadelphia on Saturday.
Last season
Milwaukee finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17. Its net rating of minus-6.1 ranked 25th of 30, and it played at a pace of 98.3. Doc Rivers resigned, and Taylor Jenkins was hired April 30. On June 23 the club traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Oct. 14
Chicago won the preseason meeting at Fiserv Forum, 125-104. Read that score with care. Herro, Myles Turner, Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Kyle Kuzma, Jaquez Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. were all held out to rest that night, so it tells little about tonight. Two days later, with that group cleared, the Bucks won at Indiana, 128-127.
Oct. 21
The season opened with a 128-116 loss at Washington, where Anthony Davis had 34 points and 12 rebounds. The depth chart was still moving that week. Nate Ament was cleared the same day. Pete Nance came back on a two-way deal Oct. 20, three days after being waived, and has averaged 28.2 minutes over his last five games. Jericho Sims, cleared Oct. 20, has averaged 28.9 minutes over his last ten.
Tonight
Chicago comes in 0-1 and on its second straight road game. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, and Josh Giddey is listed with a wrist issue. Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Bucks will honor the late Don Nelson, Coach of the Year here in 1983 and 1985, with warmup shirts showing his signature fish tie. The open question is whether Jenkins keeps leaning on Sims.
Saturday
The number that matters is tempo. Chicago played at a pace of 103.2 last season, nearly five possessions a game faster than Milwaukee, and that kind of game wears legs down the night before a back-to-back. The Bucks play at Philadelphia on NBA TV, then come home for Indiana on Oct. 26 and Houston on Oct. 28.
When is the Bucks' 2026-27 home opener?
It is tonight, Oct. 23, against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum.
Is Nic Claxton playing for the Bulls against the Bucks?
No. Chicago lists Claxton out with a hamstring injury, and Josh Giddey is listed with a wrist issue.
