The Milwaukee Bucks entered FedExForum on December 26, 2025, with a sense of cautious optimism. Fresh off a hard-fought win over the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks looked to string together consecutive victories for the first time since late October. Their opponents, the Memphis Grizzlies, have long been a thorn in Milwaukee’s side, boasting a seven-game winning streak in the head-to-head matchup heading into the night. With both squads missing key players due to injuries, the stage was set for a contest defined by resilience, opportunity, and the hope of changing fortunes.
From the opening tip, the Bucks seemed determined to seize the moment. They raced out to a 10-point lead after the first quarter, putting up 35 points on 12-of-24 shooting. The ball zipped around the perimeter, shooters found their rhythm, and the Bucks’ confidence was palpable. "I thought the first nine minutes was beautiful, ball movement," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said after the game. "I thought right when the ball stopped is when the turnovers went up. We started trying to make our plays, our spacing got bad. Every possession we moved the ball we got whatever shot we wanted."
But as the second quarter began, the tide turned sharply. The Grizzlies, spurred by the return of star guard Ja Morant and the relentless energy of Jaren Jackson Jr., unleashed a 26-6 run over the first eight minutes of the frame. The Bucks, meanwhile, sputtered—managing only 15 points in the quarter, their lowest second-quarter output of the season. Turnovers became their undoing, as Milwaukee coughed up the ball seven times in the period alone. "If we take care of the ball they don't get a lot of transition baskets," Bobby Portis Jr. observed. "Obviously taking care of the ball is a big thing in the league. Especially with how good teams are, hard to put yourself in a hole and get out of that when you're turning the ball over."
Memphis capitalized on every mistake. By halftime, the Grizzlies had flipped a 10-point deficit into a 10-point lead, and the Bucks never truly threatened again. The final score read 125-104 in favor of the Grizzlies, marking Milwaukee’s eighth consecutive loss to Memphis and their fifth straight defeat at FedExForum. The Bucks haven’t won in Memphis since March 4, 2021—a streak that’s become a source of frustration for both players and fans.
Ja Morant, playing in his first game back from a left ankle sprain, was a difference-maker for Memphis. He logged 25 minutes, producing a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. His most impactful stretch came in the second quarter, when he orchestrated an 8-2 run that not only energized the crowd but also set the tone for the Grizzlies’ dominance the rest of the way. "Morant finished with 17 points and 10 assists," reported The Commercial Appeal, highlighting his immediate impact after missing four games.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks, anchoring both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies’ balance was evident—seven players finished in double figures, and their defense suffocated Milwaukee’s shooters just when it mattered most. Memphis scored 20 points off 22 Milwaukee turnovers, a stat that underscored the Bucks’ ongoing struggles with ball security.
For Milwaukee, the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain), Taurean Prince (neck surgery), and Gary Trent Jr. (calf contusion) was keenly felt. The Bucks have now fallen to 3-10 without their superstar forward this season. Kevin Porter Jr. led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds but was plagued by seven turnovers. "I think I'm moving a little too quick, not being on the same page with my guys," Porter admitted. "But that's an easy fix. Just pace and I just gotta slow down a little bit and let my guys get into spots."
AJ Green chipped in 20 points, knocking down six three-pointers to keep Milwaukee within striking distance early. Bobby Portis Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Ryan Rollins each added 15 points, with Portis also grabbing 12 rebounds for another double-double in what’s been a strong individual stretch. Yet, the Bucks’ offensive woes persisted. After a hot start, they shot just 14-for-38 (36.8%) from deep and managed only 104 points—marking their ninth straight game scoring fewer than 117 points, a troubling trend for a team that once prided itself on offensive efficiency.
Head coach Doc Rivers didn’t mince words about the team’s shortcomings. "You can't win," Rivers said flatly, referencing the turnover issues that have plagued the Bucks all season. "We talk about it every night, every game. (Porter) had a seven (turnover game) again." Rivers also pointed to stretches where the ball stopped moving and the offense became stagnant, leading to forced shots and missed opportunities. "We lost it as the game went on. Then I thought the ball stuck in our guard's hands too much. We had it moving."
The loss dropped Milwaukee to 12-19 on the season, deepening their struggles in games following a victory (now 2-10 in such scenarios). The Bucks have not managed back-to-back wins since October 28-30, a stat that reflects both their inconsistency and the challenges of competing without a healthy roster. According to ESPN analytics, their playoff chances had dwindled to just 10.8% heading into the contest, while their odds of landing a top-four pick in the NBA draft stood at 11.7% per Tankathon.
For the Grizzlies, the win moved them to 15-16, keeping them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt. The return of Ja Morant and Cedric Coward—both on minutes restrictions—offered a much-needed boost, and the team’s ability to weather early adversity bodes well for their upcoming schedule. Memphis is set to host the Washington Wizards next, with hopes of building on their momentum.
As for the Bucks, the road doesn’t get any easier. They travel to Chicago for a matchup with the Bulls on December 27, their second game in as many nights. With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return still uncertain, the onus falls on Milwaukee’s supporting cast to rediscover their rhythm and, perhaps, finally break their cycle of inconsistency.
It was a night that began with hope but ended with familiar frustration for the Bucks. For the Grizzlies, though, it was a statement performance—a reminder that, even in a season full of challenges, they remain a force to be reckoned with when healthy and locked in.
