The Milwaukee Bucks kicked off their 2025-26 NBA season with a pair of gritty wins, but the spotlight has been shining just as brightly on their revamped roster as on their on-court results. With superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo anchoring the squad and new addition Myles Turner adjusting to his role, the Bucks have wasted no time making headlines—both for their strategic moves off the court and their performances on it.
Friday night’s 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors offered a glimpse into the evolving identity of this Milwaukee team. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ever-dominant forward, was nothing short of spectacular, racking up 31 points on a blistering 11-of-14 shooting, pulling down 20 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. If that stat line doesn’t jump off the page, consider this: according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to notch at least 60 points, 30 rebounds, and 10 assists in the first two games of a season. That’s the kind of history-making start that gets the entire league buzzing.
"I mean, like, he’s the best player in the world in my opinion," Bucks guard Cole Anthony said after Friday’s win, per The Athletic. "He’s a beast. And he’s out there and he just affects the game in so many different ways. … He’s a heck of a player, man. It’s really different getting to see him every day in practice and in games than seeing him a couple times a year. I’m like, ‘Yo, this dude’s a beast.’" Anthony himself chipped in 23 points and seven assists, providing crucial support in the backcourt.
While Antetokounmpo’s dominance has been the talk of the town, Myles Turner’s integration into the Bucks’ system has been a work in progress. Acquired in a bold offseason move that saw the Bucks waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract to create the necessary cap space, Turner was brought in to complement Giannis’s inside-out game and shore up Milwaukee’s defense. Team sources, speaking to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, insisted that the decision to pivot from Lillard to Turner was a calculated basketball move rather than a panic reaction. "The biggest misconception is that this was a panic move," a team source told ESPN. "It wasn’t. It was a basketball decision. Dame on the other end of it, you’re not sure what that was going to look like. Meanwhile, Myles is a perfect fit. We want to win here."
So far, Turner’s defense has been a steadying force, but his offense has yet to find its groove. In Friday’s win over Toronto, Turner managed just four points, shooting 2-of-8 from the field and missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Through his first two games with Milwaukee, the big man is shooting only 30 percent from the floor and a chilly 18.2 percent from three-point range. Yet, his contributions elsewhere have been hard to overlook: five total blocks and 13 rebounds over those two games, plus a couple of assists and a steal. Turner’s stat line may not dazzle yet, but his impact is being felt in the Bucks’ improved defense and ball movement.
Antetokounmpo, for one, is not worried about his new teammate’s slow start. "When I played against him, I jumped many times at the pump fake because he’s capable of making that shot," Giannis said of Turner, reflecting on their battles from previous seasons. "So, he’s going to pick and choose. Sometimes, he’s going to shoot the 3. Sometimes, he’s going to pump fake and get in the paint and make the right pass. And sometimes, he’s going to dunk on somebody’s head. And that’s what he did (Wednesday). Incredible play." That Wednesday play, an emphatic poster dunk in the season-opening win against Washington, showed flashes of what Turner can bring to this Milwaukee squad once he settles in.
Despite Turner’s muted offensive output—he’s averaging 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, along with 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game—the Bucks have been noticeably better when he’s on the court. His ability to protect the rim, switch on defense, and facilitate from the high post has added a new dimension to Milwaukee’s playbook. And with another game coming up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, Turner will have another shot to find his rhythm and contribute more on the offensive end.
Of course, the Bucks’ offseason didn’t just revolve around roster moves; it was also shadowed by speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future. Reports surfaced that Giannis had considered leaving Milwaukee, with the New York Knicks rumored as a preferred destination if he were to seek a trade. When asked about the situation, Antetokounmpo expressed confidence in the Bucks’ revamped roster, telling ESPN he’s not seeking a change of scenery at this point. Still, he stopped short of committing to Milwaukee for the long term. As Jamal Collier of ESPN noted, the Bucks are keenly aware of the need to keep their superstar happy, and their aggressive offseason moves—including the Turner signing—reflect that urgency. A source close to Antetokounmpo summed it up: "Always got to hold ownership’s feet to the fire."
For now, Giannis remains under contract through the 2027-28 season, though that final year is a player option. He’ll be extension-eligible next summer, and there’s every expectation that he’ll continue to push the front office to keep the Bucks in championship contention. Milwaukee’s management, for their part, insists they’re on the same page with their two-time MVP, and the early returns on their bold offseason strategy have been positive—at least in the win column.
Not everything has gone according to plan, however. Veteran forward Kyle Kuzma exited Friday’s game with a left ankle sprain and did not return, leaving his status for upcoming games in doubt. The Bucks will be hoping for a quick recovery, as Kuzma’s versatility and experience are valuable assets for a team with championship aspirations.
As the Bucks prepare for their next test against the Cavaliers, all eyes will be on Turner to see if he can break out of his early-season slump and on Giannis to see if he can keep up his historic pace. With a roster that’s still finding its chemistry and a fan base hungry for another title run, Milwaukee’s journey is just getting started. The season may be young, but the storylines are already sizzling in Wisconsin.
With Antetokounmpo rewriting the record books and Turner settling into his new role, the Bucks are proving that bold moves and big ambitions can go hand in hand. The coming weeks will reveal if this retooled squad has what it takes to stay atop the Eastern Conference—and perhaps, just maybe, bring another banner to Milwaukee.
