Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to dominant win over Bucks

Oklahoma City Thunder cruises past short-handed Milwaukee Bucks with a 125-96 victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chris Livingston #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks fight for possession during the second half at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on February 3, 2025. Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

By Yuni Utomo and Widya Lestari

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance, scoring 34 points to propel the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 125-96 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Both teams entered the game short-handed, but the Thunder imposed their dominance early, securing their second straight win and continuing their strong form in the Western Conference.

Milwaukee, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, was severely depleted. The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo (right patella tendinopathy), Damian Lillard (left groin soreness), Khris Middleton (workload management), Brook Lopez (back soreness), and Bobby Portis, who missed his sixth consecutive game for personal reasons.

Oklahoma City also had key absences, missing Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso. Despite the missing players, the Thunder wasted no time asserting control, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge.

Thunder star dominates early as OKC builds big lead

Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone from the opening tip, making up for a subpar performance in December’s NBA Cup final against Milwaukee. In that game, which the Bucks won in Las Vegas, he struggled with his shooting, going just 8-for-24 from the field for 21 points.

Monday’s game was a different story. The Thunder star caught fire early, hitting 9 of 11 shots in the first quarter en route to 21 points. Oklahoma City built a lead as large as 20 in the opening period, taking full advantage of Milwaukee’s depleted lineup.

By halftime, Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points, and the Thunder had ballooned their lead to 34. The game was effectively decided before the third quarter ended, allowing Oklahoma City to rest its starters early. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points on an efficient 15-of-19 shooting, adding six assists in just 23 minutes—the fewest minutes he has played in a game this season.

With the game well in hand, the Thunder received strong contributions from their supporting cast. Ousmane Dieng recorded a season-high 21 points, while Isaiah Joe provided a spark off the bench with 18.

Despite missing their final 10 shots, Oklahoma City still shot an impressive 51.5% from the field. Their suffocating defense and fast-paced offense overwhelmed the shorthanded Bucks, extending the Thunder’s recent run of strong performances.

The win marks Oklahoma City’s second consecutive victory and their fifth in the last seven games. They have won their last two contests by an average margin of 31.5 points, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the floor.

Bucks continue to struggle amid key absences

Milwaukee’s struggles continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive loss and their fifth in six games. The Bucks have allowed an alarming 131.5 points per game during their recent skid, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that have emerged with their star players sidelined.

With Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Lopez, and Portis all unavailable, the Bucks relied on their younger players. Ryan Rollins stepped up with a career-high 16 points, while rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith posted season-best performances with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

However, their contributions were not enough to keep pace with a well-balanced Thunder team, as Milwaukee struggled to generate consistent offensive production. The Bucks now face mounting pressure to get healthy and regain their defensive identity as they look to reverse their recent slide.

Oklahoma City’s victory further solidifies their position as a rising contender in the Western Conference. The Thunder have shown resilience despite injuries and continue to showcase one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. With Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level, they remain a threat to challenge the top teams in the West.

For Milwaukee, the focus remains on getting their stars back to full health. The Bucks will need Antetokounmpo and Lillard to return soon if they hope to regain their form and solidify their place among the Eastern Conference’s elite.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to build momentum, but for now, it’s the Thunder who continue to surge forward with impressive performances, while the Bucks search for answers in the absence of their key players.