The NBA isn't giving the Milwaukee Bucks any time to transition smoothly into their new era. They are set to face an incredibly difficult schedule from day one on October 21 through November 30, putting the team's back up against the wall quickly. This stretch will be the launchpad for how the Bucks want to start their Giannis Antetokounmpo-less era.
Analyzing the formidable schedule ahead
In their first 22 games, Milwaukee will face 14 teams that made the playoffs last season, including the 76ers (twice), Rockets, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Celtics (twice), Raptors (twice), Knicks, Lakers, Magic, Hawks, Trail Blazers, Pistons, Thunder, and Spurs. If there were ever an appropriate time to use the word gauntlet, this would be it.
In their third game, the Bucks will face LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and the new-look 76ers. Soon after, they will take on a revamped Minnesota team with LaMelo Ball. The Knicks and Spurs, who won their respective conferences last season, will be tough. OKC and Detroit were the top seeds in their conferences a season ago. All of these teams should still be good.
How about the matchups against teams that didn't make last season's playoffs? Will the Bucks get any relief there? Not really.
They open the season against Washington, who is reloaded after landing top pick AJ Dybantsa and adding veteran All-Stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young. The Bulls look like they could make a leap in 2026-27 after landing All-Star Norman Powell and Caleb Wilson. The Pacers are about to get Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. Miami now has Giannis. The Nets might be the easiest matchup here.
Bucks must come out firing this season
Belief in the Milwaukee Bucks league-wide is as low as it's been for years, as evidenced by the team having just two nationally televised games this coming season. Many power rankings have them at the very bottom, if not close to it. Looking to silence the naysayers and potentially be one of the big sleeper teams this coming season, the Bucks need to start off strong.
Maybe they can give Dybantsa his "Welcome to the NBA Moment" and shut him down. Could they take advantage of the 76ers still building chemistry and strike them down? Might the Knicks find themselves vulnerable as they aim to avoid the title hangover? Can Milwaukee take advantage of their rare televised appearance and beat Giannis and the Heat?
If they have any plans to exceed expectations this season, they will need to win some of these games where no one picks them. No matter how they fare, the Milwaukee Bucks are bound to send a clear message throughout this upcoming stretch.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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