Thunder And Bucks Battle Injuries In High Stakes Clash

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks squared off on January 21, 2026, in a matchup that was as much about endurance and adaptability as it was about star power. Both teams limped into the contest at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum with injury lists long enough to make any coach wince, setting the stage for a game where depth, hustle, and improvisation would be at a premium.

Oklahoma City, riding high atop the Western Conference with a sparkling 36-8 record, entered the night as 11.5-point favorites. The defending champions have been a juggernaut this season, leading the NBA in defensive rating (106.6) and ranking fourth offensively (119.9). Their average scoring margin—a staggering 13.5 points per game—leads the league by a wide margin. Yet, even for this powerhouse, the injury bug has not been kind.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was forced to cobble together a rotation without the services of Jalen Williams (hamstring), Alex Caruso (groin), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), Thomas Sorber (ACL surgical recovery), Nikola Topic (surgical recovery), Aaron Wiggins (groin soreness), and Jaylin Williams (left glut contusion). That’s a veritable who’s-who of regular contributors, leaving the Thunder with just ten available players—many of whom have been pressed into larger roles over the past week. “We’ve got to be ready to adjust on the fly,” Daigneault said before tip-off, echoing the uncertainty that’s become the norm for his squad.

Still, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander healthy and firing on all cylinders, Oklahoma City’s hopes remained high. The reigning MVP is putting together another campaign for the ages, averaging 31.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game on a blistering 55% shooting clip. He’s flanked by Chet Holmgren, the versatile third-year center who’s averaging 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per outing. With Hartenstein out, Holmgren was expected to log heavy minutes at the five, while perimeter defensive duties would fall to Lu Dort and Cason Wallace—two players known for making life miserable for opposing guards.

On the other side, Milwaukee’s season has been a rollercoaster. The Bucks entered the contest with an 18-24 record, sitting 11th in the East and desperately searching for consistency. When Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the floor, the Bucks are a respectable 15-13, but injuries have continually derailed their rhythm. The Greek Freak remains as dominant as ever, averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting an incredible 65% from the field. But he’s had to shoulder an even bigger load as the Bucks’ roster has thinned out.

Milwaukee’s pregame injury report read like a laundry list: Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique muscle strain), Myles Turner (left ankle sprain), Taurean Prince (neck surgery), and Alex Antetokounmpo (two-way/G League) were all ruled out. Head coach Doc Rivers didn’t mince words about the severity of Porter’s injury. “He’s not gonna play anytime soon,” Rivers told reporters, adding that the oblique issue likely began “three or four games ago” and was confirmed by an MRI. Porter Jr. had been averaging 16.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists—a significant loss for a Bucks team already struggling to find offensive rhythm.

With Turner also sidelined, Milwaukee’s frontcourt rotations were thrown into chaos. Bobby Portis was expected to see a spike in minutes, particularly on the boards and defensively, while Kyle Kuzma was pushed into a larger role at power forward. The official starting five for the Bucks featured Ryan Rollins at point guard, AJ Green at shooting guard, Gary Harris at small forward, Kuzma at the four, and Giannis manning the center position. That’s a lineup heavy on shooting and perimeter defense, but light on size and interior presence.

“We’re gonna have to lean on our spacing and just play smart basketball,” Rivers noted before the game. “It’s about staying disciplined, running our sets, and making sure we don’t beat ourselves.” The Bucks’ record against top competition has been a sore spot—they’ve gone just 6-18 against teams above .500 this season. But with the game broadcast nationally on ESPN and the home crowd behind them, there was hope that Milwaukee could rise to the occasion.

As the game tipped off at 9:30 p.m. ET, fans knew they’d be seeing a battle of attrition. Both teams were forced to ask more from their role players than ever before. For the Thunder, that meant giving extended minutes to the likes of Dort, Wallace, and other bench contributors. For the Bucks, it was about plugging holes and hoping for breakout performances from players like Rollins and Green, who rarely feature in the starting lineup.

The matchup itself was less about star-studded highlights and more about which team could adapt better to adversity. With so many regulars out, the margin for error shrank considerably. Foul trouble, inefficient shooting stretches, or careless turnovers threatened to swing momentum in an instant. “The team that stays steady, runs its sets, and avoids turnovers is likely to come out on top,” observed one analyst on the ESPN broadcast.

Pace was expected to increase, with both sides potentially leaning into smaller lineups and faster transitions to mask their lack of depth. Perimeter shooting, too, figured to play a larger role—especially with so many interior defenders absent. The Thunder’s defensive prowess, led by Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren, would be tested by Milwaukee’s patchwork offense, while the Bucks’ ability to generate open looks for Giannis and Kuzma would depend on how well their makeshift backcourt could handle the Thunder’s pressure.

For fans, this game was a fascinating case study in NBA resilience. How do championship hopefuls like Oklahoma City respond when half their rotation is in street clothes? Can a proud franchise like Milwaukee rally around its superstar and turn adversity into opportunity? With the Western Conference race as tight as ever and the Bucks fighting for playoff relevance, every possession carried extra weight.

As the action unfolded, it was clear: this was not a night for the faint of heart. Both teams, battered but unbowed, dug deep into their benches and their resolve. The outcome remained uncertain as the game progressed, with every run and defensive stand drawing roars from the crowd and gasps from the bench. It was a reminder that in the NBA, sometimes the greatest drama comes not from who’s on the floor, but from how those who remain rise to the challenge.

With the game still ongoing, all eyes remain glued to the court. Will the Thunder’s depth and defensive tenacity win the day, or can Giannis and his patchwork Bucks lineup deliver a statement win at home? Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.