Milwaukee Bucks: Grades from 128-125 loss to Denver Nuggets

The Milwaukee Bucks loved their overtime game on Friday so much that they decided to do it again on Sunday. This time it ended in a painful defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t playing meaningless games at this point of the season. Their games impact their own playoff seeding, and on Sunday they had a chance to jump up over Miami and tie Washington for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.

Instead of winning, the Bucks threw the game away late against the Denver Nuggets, and with that they are still  technically in danger of missing out on the playoffs entirely.

The Detroit Pistons still mathematically have a chance to get in the playoffs because of Milwaukee’s loss. Those odds are slim, but Milwaukee had an opportunity to put any concern to rest against the Nuggets.

More from Bucks News

• Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
• Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
• Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
• Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
• New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited

Sunday’s game played similarly to the Bucks’ game on Friday night against the Lakers. The teams alternated runs, before what you would have had to believe was a definitive, game-sealing run from the Bucks in the third quarter. Just like on Friday, Milwaukee’s opponent still rallied back in response in the fourth quarter, but on this occasion the Bucks weren’t lucky enough to escape it with a win.

The way Denver forced overtime was especially frustrating to watch. Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled out and was ejected with just under four minutes left to play and a 10-point Milwaukee lead.

Unfortunately, the wheels came completely off for the Bucks, who were unable to stop the surging Nuggets. With 4.9 seconds remaining, and a three-point lead, all Khris Middleton had to do was inbound the ball to a teammate.

Jamal Murray jumped the pass intended for Jason Terry and sprinted forward to attempt a game-tying three. He missed, but Terry fouled him in the chase. Murray knocked down the free throws, and Milwaukee just never got it going in overtime.

With lots to dig in to, let’s assign our grades for the individual performances in this messy, disappointing game.