BOBBY PORTIS

Joel Embiid had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 110-102 on Friday night.

Brook Lopez scored 25 points and the Milwaukee Bucks extended their season-opening winning streak to a franchise-record nine games with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the bench, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-94.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, Jrue Holiday scored 29 points and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102 to improve to 8-0, the best start to a season in franchise history.

Jrue Holiday sank a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 45.3 seconds left and finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Milwaukee Bucks edged the Detroit Pistons 110-108 on Monday night to stay unbeaten.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Milwaukee Bucks remained unbeaten with a 119-108 victory over the New York Knicks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points, 14 rebounds and five assists as the Milwaukee Bucks went on a lopsided run after Brooklyn coach Steve Nash was ejected in the third quarter and beat the Nets 110-99.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis says his new contract won't change the blue-collar approach that helped him earn the big payday. After declining a $4.55 million player option to become a free agent, Portis agreed to a four-year, $49 million deal that keeps him in Milwaukee. But he takes issue with the notion that the long-term deal brings him a sense of security. “My mindset is always going to be that someone is trying to take my spot and I have to go hard each and every day to show why I’m worth what I’m worth,” Portis said Thursday.

The NBA generated more basketball related income than ever this past season, the total number coming up just short of $9 billion.

Celtics Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis and Boston Celtics' Grant Williams go after a rebound during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series Friday, May 13, 2022, in Milwaukee . Boston showed its grit by bouncing back two nights after blowing a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 110-107 Game 5 home loss. After that 8-0 Bucks spurt, Tatum scored the Celtics’ next 11 points. MISSING PLAYERSThe Celtics played without forward/center Robert Williams for a third straight game. Celtics coach Ime Udoka said Williams suffered a bone bruise in his left knee while colliding with Antetokounmpo in Game 3.

The Milwaukee Bucks want to build off the momentum from a thrilling comeback.

Bobby Portis made a putback off Giannis Antetokounmpo’s missed free throw with 15 seconds left, Jrue Holiday snuffed Marcus Smart on Boston’s final two possessions and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Celtics 110-107 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 series lead.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points and made the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a frantic flurry of shots in the final seconds to beat the Boston Celtics 103-101 on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 of his 30 points in the first half, and the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-86 to even their second-round playoff at one game apiece.

Game 1 showed that whoever wins the 1-on-1 scoring battle between Memphis’ Ja Morant and Stephen Curry of the Warriors doesn’t mean their team will win the game or their Western Conference semifinal.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second career postseason triple-double to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 101-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.

The defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks recovered from a bumpy beginning and rediscovered their championship form in plenty of time to dispose of the Chicago Bulls in their opening-round series.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine rebounds and the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-100 on Wednesday night to finish off the first-round series in five games.

Grayson Allen set playoff career highs with 27 points and six 3-pointers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 119-95 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.

Grayson Allen made five 3-pointers and scored 22 points and the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Chicago Bulls 111-81 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series without the injured Khris Middleton.

Wizards Bucks Basketball Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan steals the ball from Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton during the first half of Game 2 of their an NBA playoff basketball game Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Milwaukee . (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to miss at least two weeks after injuring his left knee Wednesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Chicago Bulls. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after he Bucks' 114-110 loss Wednesday that Middleton had a sprained medial collateral ligament. As the defending champion Bucks spoke after Wednesday's game, they braced for the possibility they could be missing Middleton for a significant time. The Bucks have been through this situation before, dealing with a knee injury to one of their top players during the playoffs.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is expected to miss at least two weeks after injuring his left knee Wednesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Chicago Bulls.

The road back to the NBA Finals has become bumpy for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

Bulls Bucks Basketball Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Wesley Matthews during the second half of Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff basketball game Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bulls won 114-110 to tie the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — DeMar DeRozan made sure the Chicago Bulls altered their painful recent history against the Milwaukee Bucks and gave this first-round series a fresh new start. DeRozan scored a career playoff-high 41 points and the Bulls outlasted the Bucks 114-110 on Wednesday night in Game 2. “We expected those guys to make a run,” Vucevic said.

DeMar DeRozan scored 41 points for his career playoff high and the Chicago Bulls outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 114-110 on Wednesday to tie their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 16 rebounds and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks recovered after blowing a 16-point lead to beat the Chicago Bulls 93-86 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.

Kevin Love made eight 3-pointers and scored 32 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers took the No. 8 play-in spot — and a matchup against Brooklyn — with a 133-115 win over Milwaukee.

Brook Lopez scored a season-high 28 points and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a rather quiet performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo to clinch their fourth straight Central Division championship with a 127-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Mavericks Bucks Basketball Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) passes around Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 32 points and matched a season high with 15 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-112 on Sunday. In six career games against the Bucks, Doncic has averaged 26.8 points, 11.3 assists and 9.2 rebounds with three triple-doubles. Doncic hit a 3-pointer to put the Mavericks back ahead 93-91 with 9:04 left. ... Mavericks coach Jason Kidd congratulated former Dallas coach Del Harris for his selection to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Saturday, but said it’s about time another former Mavericks coach gets honored as well.

Luka Doncic scored 32 points and matched a season high with 15 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-112.

Giannis Antetokounmpo says the absence of Brook Lopez for much of the season has caused the Milwaukee Bucks to appreciate the 7-foot veteran on a whole new level.

Heat Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis and Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Milwaukee . The Bucks outscored Miami 21-6 down the stretch to snap the Heat’s four-game winning streak. TIP-INSHeat: Miami played its 35th road game Wednesday and goes back on the road to face Brooklyn on Thursday. After the trip to Brooklyn, the Heat will be at home for 11 of their next 12 games. Bucks: Visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday in their first road game since Feb. 10.

Jrue Holiday banked in a driving layup with 1.9 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes to beat the Miami Heat 120-119.

The Bucks play their first game since the All-Star break Saturday when they host the Brooklyn Nets. “I think we have a great team,” Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP, said during the All-Star Game festivities. The Bucks realize the depth in the East this year could make their playoff position more important. You can expect all teams to be in playoff mode from here on out, if it didn’t start before the All-Star break. They’re at Fiserv Forum for their first three games after the All-Star break, continuing a stretch of six consecutive home games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are coming out of the All-Star break knowing they've got work ahead just to earn home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Joel Embiid had 42 points, 14 rebounds and five assists and the Philadelphia 76ers regrouped after squandering a 15-point lead to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-120 on Thursday night.

Bucks Clippers Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, celebrates after center Bobby Portis, right, scored during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)NEW YORK — (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo will team up with two of his brothers to compete in a revamped Skills Challenge during the NBA's All-Star Saturday night. All-Star Darius Garland, rookie Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will represent the host Cavaliers, while No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham of Detroit, Scottie Barnes of Toronto and Josh Giddey will comprise the rookie team. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will team up with two of his brothers to compete in a revamped Skills Challenge during the NBA’s All-Star Saturday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, Jrue Holiday added 27 and the Milwaukee Bucks pulled away in the second half to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 137-113.

Warriors Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis reacts after making a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in Milwaukee. Budenholzer missed four games while in the health and safety protocols, with assistant Darvin Ham taking over as acting head coach. Last season, the Bucks beat the Warriors 138-99 in a Christmas Day matchup in front of no spectators at Fiserv Forum. “Part of the process of his recovery is he’s not going to play back-to-backs early on,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. Bucks: George Hill returned after missing four games while in health and safety protocols.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and had his third triple-double of the season to help Milwaukee rout the Golden State Warriors 118-99 on Thursday night in Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s return from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.

Bucks Nets Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball in front of Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)NEW YORK — (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in his return from a one-game absence, Khris Middleton added 15 of his 20 in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks blew out the Brooklyn Nets 121-109 on Friday night. Bobby Portis scored 20 of his 25 in the first half to help the Bucks snap a two-game skid. The last loss came without Antetokounmpo, who didn't play Wednesday night against Toronto because of an illness unrelated to COVID-19. Kevin Durant had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, who have lost five straight home games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in his return from a one-game absence, Khris Middleton added 15 of his 20 in the third quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks blew out the Brooklyn Nets 121-109.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, Bobby Portis scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 127-110 on Tuesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from the NBA’s healthy and safety protocols to score 36 points on Saturday for Milwaukee.

The NBA has called off five games for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday because of coronavirus-related concerns.

Jayson Tatum scored 16 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter and the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117-103.

Giannis Antetokounmpo came back from a two-game absence and scored 27 points on his 27th birthday to help the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-104.

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez has undergone surgery to address the back injury that has kept him from playing since the opening game of the season.

Jrue Holiday scored 18 points and the Milwaukee Bucks grabbed their biggest halftime lead in franchise history on their way to a 123-92 blowout of the Orlando Magic on Monday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Orlando Magic 117-108 on Saturday night to open a two-game set.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 47 points and Khris Middleton tied Milwaukee’s franchise record for career 3-pointers in the Bucks’ 109-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Dennis Schröder scored eight of his season-high 38 points in overtime and the Boston Celtics took advantage of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-113.

The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t been quite themselves as they’ve opened their NBA title defense.

Tyler Herro scored 27 points in 24 minutes off the bench, Jimmy Butler added 21 and the Miami Heat opened their season with an easy 137-95 victory over the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and the Milwaukee Bucks opened the defense of their first title in half a century by beating the Brooklyn Nets 127-104 on Tuesday.

Point guards were the immediate focus when the NBA’s free agency window opened Monday night, with Kyle Lowry headed to the Miami Heat, Lonzo Ball on his way to the Chicago Bulls while Chris Paul and Mike Conley landed lucrative deals to remain with their current teams.

The Phoenix Suns had designs on coming home with a chance to win their first championship.

NBA Finals Suns Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis reacts to a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals in Milwaukee, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage. Portis provided a big spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in 18 minutes in Milwaukee's 120-100 Game 3 NBA Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. “I don’t sit and sob or get mad or anything if I’m not playing,” Portis said after Game 3. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer indicated after the game that Portis could have earned himself more opportunities.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis is relying on lessons he learned earlier in his career as he adapts to his inconsistent playoff usage.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shook his head, unwilling to place himself in the class of the only player with a longer streak of 40-point games in an NBA Finals.

At their best, the Phoenix Suns have three players who can take over a game.

Bucks Hawks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo embraces Bobby Portis (9) after the Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA basketball playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)PHOENIX — (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after being sidelined with a knee injury. Antetokounmpo was injured in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals when he landed after leaping to defend a lob pass to Atlanta's Clint Capela. Budenholzer said Monday that Antetokounmpo was doing work on the court and making progress, but provided no other details. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Bucks Hawks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo embraces Bobby Portis (9) after the Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA basketball playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)PHOENIX — (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks have upgraded Giannis Antetokounmpo's status to questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night. The change in the injury report Tuesday afternoon gives more hope that the two-time MVP can return from a hyperextended left knee to face the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks then listed Antetokounmpo as doubtful in the injury report later in the day. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Hawks Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo looks up to the scoreboard from the bench during the second half of Game 5 of the team's NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)ATLANTA — (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks will have top scorer Trae Young in uniform for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night, when Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out again. Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, will miss his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks were leading 3-2. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela. Young was cleared about an hour before the game after being listed as questionable on the NBA's Saturday injury report.

Hawks Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo looks up to the scoreboard from the bench during the second half of Game 5 of the team's NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)ATLANTA — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of Game 6 Saturday of the Eastern Conference final against the Atlanta Hawks. The two-time MVP will miss his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks were leading 3-2. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Hawks Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) reacts after dunking during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Brook Lopez scored a playoff career-high 33 points and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 on Thursday night for a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bucks are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. Four of their starters had at least 22 points: Lopez, Khris Middleton (26), Jrue Holiday (25) and Bobby Portis (22). Bucks: During his pregame availability, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer offered no update on when Antetokounmpo might be able to return.

Bucks Heat Basketball Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, right, is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, center, as center Bobby Portis defends during the second half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (Lynne Sladky)MIAMI — (AP) — Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro was working out Thursday morning with assistant coaches Chris Quinn and Eric Glass, when they were told there was a more pressing need. “This is 12 miles from our arena,” Heat vice president and charitable fund executive director Steve Stowe said. The Heat, through some of their corporate partners like World Central Kitchen and Direct Relief, were arranging for more help to arrive. “These are the moments when a community has to come together, rise up and help,” Stowe said.

Bucks Rockets Basketball Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts as he falls during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, April 29, 2021 in Houston. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP) (Mark Mulligan)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned from a sprained right ankle to play for the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in the first of two straight games with the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets. Antetokounmpo injured his ankle in the opening minute of the Bucks' 143-136 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. The Bucks began Sunday in third place in the East, 3 1/2 games behind the Nets and three behind the Philadelphia 76ers. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports