MIKE BUDENHOLZER

A person with knowledge of the decision says Darvin Ham has accepted an offer to be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)Giannis Antetokounmpo powered his way to the rim, trying to keep the Milwaukee Bucks’ title defense alive. Layups, putbacks — shots that are usually automatic for the two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion — bounced fruitlessly away. I can live with giving everything for the game,” Antetokounmpo said. ... You’ve just got to live with it.”One year after leading Milwaukee to the NBA title and being voted finals MVP, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks wilted in the final quarter of their final game. He is the first player in NBA history to record 200 points, 100 rebounds and 50 assists in a playoff series.

The Milwaukee Bucks and star Giannis Antetokounmpo wilted in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series and saw their hopes of repeat NBA championships come to an end.

Celtics Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen passes around Boston Celtics' Robert Williams III and Al Horford during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Boston forward/center Robert Williams missed his third straight game with an injured left knee as the Celtics tried to keep their season alive Friday night in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Celtics coach Ume Idoka said at the team’s post-shootaround availability Friday that Williams hurt the knee during a collision with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t offer any indication on whether the three-time All-Star might be available the next time Milwaukee plays after Friday. “He’s doing well,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game.

Boston forward/center Robert Williams missed his third straight game with an injured left knee as the Celtics tried to keep their season alive Friday night in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

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.

Bulls Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton tries to get past Chicago Bulls' Patrick Williams during the first half of Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff basketball game Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss at least two more games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Boston Celtics as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Middleton hasn't played since injuring his knee in Game 2 of the Bucks' five-game, first-round victory win over the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks and Celtics are tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Saturday in Milwaukee. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged after practice Thursday that Middleton wouldn't play either of the next two games, but was upbeat about the three-time All-Star's long-term prognosis.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss at least two more games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Boston Celtics as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

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.

They enter their second-round matchup with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks playing their best basketball of the season. Udoka said their performance against a high-quality Nets team that wasn’t a typical No. We’re not running from people.”That includes embracing the challenge of trying to slow reigning NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. “We alll know what Giannis is capable of, what he’s done, what he’s doing and what he’s gonna try to do,” Smart said. NO PAIN FOR WILLIAMSUdoka said Williams didn’t experience any pain in his surgically repaired left knee after returning to the court for the final two games of the Brooklyn series.

The only team to register a first-round sweep, the Boston Celtics enter their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks loaded with confidence.

Bulls Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton tries to get past Chicago Bulls' Patrick Williams during the first half of Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff basketball game Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer offered no new details Friday on Khris Middleton’s potential availability for the defending champions’ Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Boston Celtics. That means he would miss at least the first two games of the Celtics series, which starts Sunday in Boston. Hill missed the entire Bulls series with an abdominal strain. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer offered no new details Friday on Khris Middleton’s potential availability for the defending champions’ Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Boston Celtics.

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.

Bucks Bulls Basketball Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, right, looks to pass against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 24, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — 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 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series. Allen delivered another huge effort off the bench, surpassing his previous postseason scoring high of 22 points in Game 3. Allen made 4 of 5 3-pointers and scored 16 as the Bucks grabbed a 56-41 halftime lead. ... Chicago has lost six straight home playoff games since beating Cleveland in Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference semifinals.

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.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton hopes two weeks is all he needs to recover from his sprained left knee and get back to helping his team repeat as NBA champion.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 17 rebounds in his return to action and the Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 126-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Khris Middleton scored a season-high 44 points, Jrue Holiday had 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied to beat the short-handed Phoenix Suns 132-122 on Sunday.

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.

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.

Deandre Ayton scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee 131-107 in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals won by the Bucks.

Trae Young scored 30 points and the struggling Atlanta Hawks rallied for a 121-114 victory over thee Milwaukee Bucks to snap a 10-game home losing streak.

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.

Another NBA head coach has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

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.

Bucks Mavericks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer yells from the sidelines during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Mike Budenholzer has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and Giannis Antetokounpo is sidelined with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks without their coach and star player Wednesday night against Toronto. The Bucks didn’t specify the nature of the NBA Finals MVP's illness. Guards Grayson Allen and George Hill, along with forward Pat Connaughton, also entered protocols on Wednesday. Ham, a former player who spent time with the Bucks, has been an NBA assistant for 11 years.

Mike Budenholzer has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Giannis Antetokounpo is sidelined with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks without their coach and star player against Toronto.

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 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.

TORONTO — (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and the Toronto Raptors took advantage of Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out with a sore right calf to beat Milwaukee 97-93 Thursday night, ending the Bucks’ winning streak at eight. Antetokounmpo sat one day after he scored 40 points as Milwaukee beat Charlotte 127-125. VanVleet scored 26 of his 29 points in the second half after making one of three attempts in the first two quarters. Cousins scored seven points in 15 minutes in his Bucks debut Wednesday. Raptors: Toronto snapped a five-game home losing streak against the Bucks.

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.

Julius Randle had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and the New York Knicks erased an early 21-point deficit and routed the Milwaukee Bucks 113-98.

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

Nets Bucks Basketball Milwaukee Bucks owners and players display their championship rings before an NBA basketball game between the Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the White House on Nov. 8 to celebrate their NBA championship, the first title for the franchise in 50 years. The Bucks will play the Wizards in Washington on Nov. 7 and take part in the White House ceremony the following day before traveling to Philadelphia. Milwaukee will be the first NBA champion to be feted at the White House since 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers visited former President Barack Obama. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the White House on Nov. 8 to celebrate their NBA championship, the first title for the franchise in 50 years.

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.

The exhibition game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies was suspended after three quarters when a fire alarm went off, leading to evacuation of FedExForum.

Bucks Budenholzer Basketball FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2021, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Milwaukee. Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half century. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half-century. The Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals after losing the opening game in that series. The Bucks lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals and fell to the Miami Heat in the 2020 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer has received a contract extension after guiding the team to its first NBA title in a half-century.

They all say they’re going to honor the commitment to play, even though the finals will have just ended and then a flight halfway around the world awaits. “I have watched the games,” Popovich said a few days ago when asked if he’s watching the NBA Finals while on USA Basketball duty in Las Vegas. Middleton, Holiday and Booker won’t be on that flight; they’ll still be at their real jobs. They’re going to have to come in and play.”True, even a successful coach like Popovich isn't sure how this will work. But if Holiday, Middleton and Booker bring this form to Tokyo, the struggling Americans could be just fine.

The happiest basketball coach in the world right now should be Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo pointed to a pair of scratches, one on his forehead and the other on his cheek.

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.

For the second time this postseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have staggered home with a 2-0 deficit and a couple key players who can’t shoot straight.

NBA Finals Bucks Suns Basketball Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Phoenix. Antetokounmpo finished with 42 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks but couldn't push the Bucks past the Suns, who took a 2-0 series with their 118-108 win. In the third quarter, he nearly single-handedly kept the Bucks in the game, scoring 20 points while aggressively crashing the offensive glass. That was the most points for one player in a quarter in a finals game since 1993, according to Elias. It became apparent that if Antetokounmpo wasn’t making it happen, it probably wasn’t going to happen for the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his bum left knee bulldozed through the Phoenix Suns defense for most of Game 2, once again giving the Milwaukee Bucks more than they could have dreamed in these NBA Finals.

The Bucks coach said his father wants to see the NBA team use a high school strategy. “He wants us to press every minute of every game,” Budenholzer said. He’s going to be a basketball coach again, working for Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis. “I’m excited to get back.”TV TIMEJuly is better than September, at least when it comes to getting people to watch the NBA Finals. This is the second straight year the NBA Finals are off their usual June schedule.

If Vince Budenholzer had his way, the Milwaukee Bucks would start guarding Chris Paul the minute he walked into the arena.

NBA Finals Basketball Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton (22) attempts a shot ahead of Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Phoenix. When all three are rolling the way they were in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, it’s easy to see why this could finally be the Suns’ championship chance. But the Bucks certainly can expect better from Holiday, who missed 10 of his 14 shots and finished with just 10 points in the Suns' 118-105 victory. Budenholzer said that's the challenge of getting three players going at once. The Bucks eventually got through those series and the Suns expect them to be better in Game 2 of this one.

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.

Giannis Antetokounmpo started and played well in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after missing two games with a knee injury.

The two regular-season games between Milwaukee and Phoenix this season fit the same script.

Brook Lopez scored a playoff career-high 33 points and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence and beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 on Thursday to regain the lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Nets Bucks Basketball Brooklyn Nets' Bruce Brown tries to break up Kevin Durant and Milwaukee Bucks' P.J. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — The NBA has disciplined the Brooklyn Nets security guard who went on the Fiserv Forum court and appeared to shove P.J. Although NBA officials didn’t provide the name the security guard, a person with knowledge of the situation identified him as Antjuan Lambert. Another person with knowledge of the situation said the security guard was Durant’s personal security guy before being hired by the Nets. The security guard went on the court during this confrontation and put his hands on Tucker.

Bucks Heat Basketball Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo drives to the basket over Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) (Marta Lavandier)MIAMI — (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo’s season is over, after tests showed Friday that the Milwaukee guard tore a ligament in his left ankle during Game 3 of the Bucks’ playoff series against the Miami Heat. DiVincenzo had appeared in 69 games for Milwaukee this season, all of them starts including the three playoff matchups. On an individual, personal level for Donte, it’s really, really tough,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Friday. The lineup of DiVincenzo along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez was 34-14 this season.

Bucks Heat Basketball Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer talks to center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Miami. They lead the first-round series 3-0 and will try for a sweep of the reigning East champions on Saturday. The Bucks won Game 2 by 34 points and made Game 3 just as decisive, leading by as many as 32. Nemanja Bjelica — little-used by Miami this season, then called upon Thursday out of desperation for any sort of outside shooting — scored 14 points. Tyler Herro hit a 3-pointer to get Miami within 14 a third time; the Bucks scored the next five points.