It’s another tough loss for Phoenix as Giannis dominates for 37 points in Milwaukee.
With over $100 million in salary sidelined, the Phoenix Suns fought, but their losing streak continued in a 133-123 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The defeat further cemented their place at 11th in the Western Conference, now 1.5 games behind the Sacramento Kings for a shot at the Play-In Tournament.
Devin Booker poured in 39 points on 32 shot attempts with 11 assists, while Grayson Allen (23 points), Nick Richards (13 points, 11 rebounds, 9 offensive boards), and Collin Gillespie (18 points) provided solid contributions.
Bucks shot 68.9% against the Suns.
That is the highest field goal percentage by a NBA team in the regular season since 1998, per @Stathead.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) April 2, 2025
But their efforts weren’t enough to counter Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance. The two-time MVP finished with 37 points and a staggering +23 plus/minus. When he sat, the Suns clawed back from a 22-point deficit to make it a game. But the moment he returned, so did Milwaukee’s control.
The loss drops Phoenix to 35-41 on the season, with a brutal 12-26 record on the road.
Game Flow
First Half
The Suns picked up right where they left off defensively on Sunday, letting the Bucks open the game a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 from deep. That set the tone for the first quarter, where Phoenix looked lost. Scrambled on defense, disjointed on offense.
SOS.
Same Old Suns
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) April 1, 2025
Phoenix managed to force turnovers but couldn’t capitalize, struggling to turn defense into offense.
The Suns mustered just 19 points in the first quarter on 40% shooting, while Milwaukee torched them for 31 points on a blistering 69% from the field. Giannis and Brook Lopez combined for 19 points, matching the Suns’ total.
The Second Team Suns looked much better in the second quarter on the defensive end, sparking a 12-2 run to get within one point. When Tyus Jones hit a three-pointer. A 15-point deficit was erased.
Devin Booker, who had 5 early turnovers, scored 15 points in the second en route to 22 points in the first half.
Phoenix outscored the Bucks 39-29 in the second quarter, and despite 20 first-half points from Giannis, the Suns trailed just 60-57 at the half.
The Suns scored 19 points in Q1. They doubled that output in Q2, scoring 38.
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) April 2, 2025
Second Half
A 17-4 run early in the third put the Bucks back in control as they knocked down threes while the Suns kept missing. That surge ballooned into a 20-2 run, leaving Phoenix in an 18-point hole midway through the quarter.
Devin Booker was doing his part, but the rest of the team wasn’t. And if nothing else, it served as a reminder. If the Suns move on from Kevin Durant this offseason, Booker will likely find himself carrying the load alone once again. Sure, they can bring someone in, but no one at Durant’s level.
There’s a KD-sized hole in the Suns scoring tonight. Booker is all alone.
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) April 2, 2025
Tyus Jones had a run where he scored 10 straight Suns’ points because, yeah, that’s where we’re at.
The Suns shot 2-of-12 from deep in the third while the Bucks went 5-of-7. Phoenix closed on an 11-2 spurt but was still outscored 35-26 in the quarter.
After there, Bucks 95, Suns 83.
The supporting cast did their best to keep the Suns in it during the fourth quarter, starting with a 14–9 run and later stringing together an 8–0 surge to cut the deficit to seven. Grayson Allen, a former Buck, led the charge from deep, hitting 4-of-6 from three as Phoenix connected on 5 of their first 9 attempts from beyond the arc.
To their credit, the Suns battled in the final period. It was almost inspiring to see them find some offensive rhythm, capitalizing on Milwaukee’s sloppy ball security.
I know there are no moral victories, especially this late in the season, but I tip my hat for the effort of the Suns in the fourth quarter
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) April 2, 2025
But the burden of carrying the offensive load, paired with the unstoppable force that is Giannis, proved too heavy. Every Suns run was immediately answered by an Antetokounmpo-led response. Scoring came easy for the Bucks, while Phoenix had to grind for every bucket.
The Suns cut the deficit to four with under two minutes remaining, but a 9–3 Milwaukee run sealed their fate. Despite outscoring the Bucks 40–38 in the fourth, it was yet another loss for Phoenix.
Up Next
It’s off to Bean Town as the Suns make their annual trip to the TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics. 70-point performance by Devin Booker downloading?
We’ll see you then, Bright Siders.
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