Bucks Battle Bulls Amid Injuries And Trade Turmoil

The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls met for the 274th time in their storied rivalry on February 3, 2026, at Fiserv Forum, with both teams entering the contest battered by injuries, roster shake-ups, and swirling trade rumors. This showdown was more than just another midseason NBA clash—it was a test of depth, resilience, and, perhaps most of all, patience for two franchises eyeing the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Chicago entered the night with a tenuous 137-136 edge in the all-time series, but had yet to notch a win against Milwaukee this season, trailing 0-2 in their 2025–26 head-to-heads. The Bulls, sitting at 24-26 and three games ahead of the Bucks (18-29) in the loss column, were desperate to solidify their play-in position. Milwaukee, meanwhile, was mired in a five-game losing streak and in 12th place in the East, needing a spark to keep postseason hopes alive.

If the stakes weren’t high enough, both teams were forced to navigate a minefield of injuries and recent trades. The Bucks were without their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, for the fourth consecutive game due to a right calf strain. The Greek Freak had torched the Bulls in their first two meetings this year—averaging a jaw-dropping 35.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists—but was reduced to light shootaround duties before tip-off. As trade rumors gained steam, with Minnesota reportedly making moves to clear space for a potential blockbuster, the Bucks’ franchise player’s future remained uncertain. "There is no timetable," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stated about Giannis’s return, though the player himself estimated a four-to-six week recovery window.

Milwaukee’s woes didn’t stop there. Second-leading scorer Kevin Porter Jr. remained sidelined with an oblique strain, and the Bucks’ starting lineup was further depleted by the absence of Gary Harris (hamstring), Taurean Prince (neck surgery), and the questionable status of Bobby Portis Jr. (hip). The Bucks’ record without Giannis stood at a dismal 3-14 heading into the contest, underscoring just how much the team leans on its MVP.

On the other side, Chicago was also shorthanded. Zach Collins (toe sprain), Josh Giddey (hamstring), and Tre Jones (hamstring) were all out, with Collins not expected back until after the All-Star break and Jones awaiting a February 6 re-evaluation. Giddey, who had returned from an earlier hamstring issue only to be shut down again, missed his fourth straight game. The Bulls also listed Kevin Huerter (back spasms), Julian Phillips (wrist), and Jalen Smith (calf) as questionable—further thinning their rotation.

But the injury report was only half the story. Chicago had just pulled off a pair of significant trades, sending Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić to Detroit for Jaden Ivey, and acquiring veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. in a three-team deal. In a separate blockbuster, the Bulls shipped former All-Star center Nikola Vučević to Boston for scoring guard Anfernee Simons. These moves, though promising for the future, left the Bulls scrambling to meet the league’s minimum eight-player requirement for the night. As one observer put it, "The reported moves will leave the Bulls short-handed vs. the Bucks, as center Zach Collins, forward Noa Essengue, guard Josh Giddey and guard Tre Jones were all already ruled out due to injury."

Despite the depleted rosters, the game itself was anything but lackluster. Milwaukee came out firing, leading 39-24 after the first quarter. Kyle Kuzma set the tone early, pouring in 11 points, while AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. chipped in with timely buckets. The Bucks’ offense found its rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulls 38-28 and stretching the halftime lead to 77-52—a season high for points in a half. Ryan Rollins orchestrated the attack with impressive poise, racking up 7 assists and 13 points by the break, and Andre Jackson Jr. electrified the crowd with a breakaway dunk.

Chicago, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace, hampered by their lack of depth and the absence of key contributors. Trade rumors swirled around the bench, with Nikola Vučević already on his way to Boston and Mike Conley Jr. just arriving. Still, Kobe White stepped up, finishing the third quarter with a team-high 20 points, trying to will his team back into contention. The Bulls managed to outscore Milwaukee 37-28 in the third period, trimming the deficit to 16 points at 105-89, but the Bucks’ lead always felt secure.

Milwaukee’s starters delivered when it mattered. Kuzma led the way with 25 points and 7 rebounds, shooting an efficient 7-of-9 from the field in the first half and continuing his hot streak after the break. Rollins was equally impressive, notching 18 points and 9 assists through three quarters. Myles Turner contributed 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, and AJ Green added 12. Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t shy about mixing up his rotation, going nine-deep before halftime and getting contributions from nearly every available player. As the Bucks’ play-by-play team noted, "Ten of 11 Bucks players are available; the last man yet to check in is Thanasis Antetokounmpo."

The Bulls, though outgunned, refused to go quietly. Their offense, averaging 117.2 points per game on the season, showed flashes of life, but the defensive lapses that have plagued them—allowing 115.6 points per game—were evident against Milwaukee’s ball movement and outside shooting. The Bucks, for their part, have struggled defensively as well, giving up nearly 120 points per contest, but on this night, their offense was enough to keep Chicago at bay.

Off the court, the subplots were just as compelling as the on-court action. With the trade deadline looming and both teams in flux, front offices and fans alike were left to wonder how these new-look rosters would gel in the weeks ahead. Would Giannis remain in Milwaukee, or would Minnesota’s interest lead to a seismic shakeup? Could the Bulls’ bold moves for Ivey, Simons, and Conley Jr. pay dividends down the stretch, or would the lack of continuity prove costly in the playoff race?

As the final quarter ticked away, the Bucks maintained their cushion, and the outcome remained in the balance. With both squads navigating adversity, the latest chapter in the Bulls-Bucks rivalry served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of NBA basketball—where injuries, trades, and momentum can shift the narrative at a moment’s notice. The action at Fiserv Forum was still ongoing as the clock wound down, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and the Eastern Conference playoff picture as murky as ever.

Whatever the result, one thing was clear: both the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls proved they’re not going to let setbacks—on or off the court—define their seasons. The race for the play-in, the fate of franchise stars, and the next twist in this classic rivalry are all still up for grabs.