Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder To Blowout Win Over Bucks

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant run through the 2025-26 NBA season with a convincing 122-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 21, 2026, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. With the win, the Thunder improved to an impressive 37-8 record, capping off a four-game road trip in style. For the Bucks, the night was one of mounting frustration, as they struggled to keep pace with a Thunder squad firing on all cylinders.

Coming into the matchup, Oklahoma City was a heavy favorite, listed at -9.5 on most sportsbooks. The Thunder had already established themselves as the team to beat in the Northwest Division, boasting a 16-5 record on the road and riding high after a 136-104 blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers just two nights before. The Bucks, meanwhile, were sitting at 18-24, having eked out a narrow win over the Atlanta Hawks but facing adversity with a depleted roster.

Injuries were a storyline for both teams, but Milwaukee was hit especially hard. Key rebounders Myles Turner (left ankle sprain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique muscle strain) were sidelined, leaving a gaping hole in the Bucks’ interior defense and rebounding. Taurean Prince was also out due to neck surgery. On the Thunder side, Alex Caruso (groin), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Jalen Williams (back), and several others were unavailable, forcing head coach Mark Daigneault to dig deep into his rotation.

From the opening tip, the Thunder set the tone. They raced out to a 38-18 lead after the first quarter, capitalizing on eight Bucks turnovers and converting them into 11 points. Oklahoma City shot a blistering 69.6% from the field in the opening period, with Ajay Mitchell leading the way with 12 points and two steals. Chet Holmgren, who has stepped up his rebounding in the absence of Hartenstein, chipped in seven points and two boards early, showing why his presence has been so crucial in recent weeks.

By halftime, the Thunder had built a 69-51 advantage. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, was already orchestrating the offense with 15 points and eight assists. Ajay Mitchell continued his breakout performance, finishing the half with 18 points and two steals, while Kenrich Williams contributed 11 points and six rebounds. The Bucks, on the other hand, struggled to find rhythm, with Giannis Antetokounmpo limited to just eight points at the break.

Milwaukee’s offensive woes were apparent throughout the night. Head coach Doc Rivers called a timeout just 92 seconds into the game after a couple of disjointed possessions, hoping to rally his troops. But the issues persisted. Turnovers, stagnant ball movement, and a lack of cohesion plagued the Bucks. As Rivers put it after the game, “Our first 12 minutes was the difference in the game, in how we approached the game. You know, we start out in practice with all this ball movement. And then, we get in the game and it’s single pass, shot. Single pass, shot. Single pass, shot. We literally played right into what they wanted us to do.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo, usually the focal point of Milwaukee’s offense, ended the night with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, but took only 11 shots. His frustration was palpable. “I feel like I’ve played with teammates that kind of understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, and how I can create for my teammates or for myself and how I can help the team be more successful. But maybe for some reason ... I don’t understand ... maybe because we’re young. Maybe because we’re not playing well. Maybe it’s because guys think it’s their turn. They want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around. I don’t get it. I really don’t,” Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game.

As the game wore on, the Thunder’s lead only grew. By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City was up 99-77, with Gilgeous-Alexander already at 30 points and 10 assists. The fourth quarter saw more of the same, as SGA continued to dissect Milwaukee’s defense, finishing with a spectacular stat line: 40 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds on a remarkable 16-for-19 shooting. Head coach Doc Rivers could only marvel at the MVP’s performance: “He just lets it come to him. He’s in no hurry. We were looking at his field-goal percentage and it’s as high as the fours and fives in the league. Which is incredible when you think about it. He’s taking the shots the whole league wants you to take. And he makes them. He’s just an efficient, good basketball player.”

Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams each chipped in 18 points, with Williams adding eight rebounds. Chet Holmgren, continuing his recent surge on the boards, contributed to a Thunder effort that dominated the glass against a Bucks team missing its best rebounders. Holmgren’s increased rebounding since Hartenstein’s injury—up to 10 boards per game in the last 11 contests—was evident once more, reinforcing his importance to the Thunder’s frontcourt.

For the Bucks, Cole Anthony provided a rare bright spot, scoring 17 points in one of his best outings of the season. But the positives were few and far between. Milwaukee’s starting lineup of AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, Gary Harris, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kyle Kuzma struggled to keep up with the Thunder’s pace and efficiency. The Bucks now sit at 18-25, having lost four of their last five games and facing an uphill battle to stay in the playoff picture.

Looking at the numbers, the Thunder’s dominance was clear. They forced 16 turnovers, shot over 50% from the field, and had five players in double figures. The Bucks, meanwhile, were hampered by injuries, a lack of ball movement, and a defense that couldn’t contain the Thunder’s balanced attack. The betting markets reflected the one-sided nature of the contest, with Oklahoma City easily covering the spread and the total points finishing just above most projections.

As the Bucks embark on a three-game homestand with only five home games in January, head coach Doc Rivers emphasized the importance of the upcoming stretch: “These next games are huge for us. All winnable games. All at home. We get some rest. I think we’ll find out what we have.” The Thunder, meanwhile, return home with momentum firmly on their side, their sights set on maintaining their place atop the Western Conference standings.