
The Milwaukee Bucks just completed their best three-game stretch of the season, winning all three of their contests at home for the first winning streak of the season. However, all three contests came against non-playoff teams, as their final three games before the All-Star break are far from that.
On Monday night, the Bucks begin a two-game series in Orlando against the Magic, a team that has had its ups and downs this season. However, a large part of that has been due to injuries, and Monday night they'll have the team at full health for the first time in a while.
Starting with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains OUT with a right calf strain. He is expected to return after the All-Star break, in which he'll hope to lift this Bucks team into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference after he was not traded at the deadline.
Additionally, Alex Antetokounmpo (two-way) and Taurean Prince (neck) are OUT as well, as neither has played much at all this season to begin with.
Most notably, new signing Cam Thomas, who was waived from the Brooklyn Nets last week, is not listed on the injury report, meaning he could make his debut for the Bucks on Monday.
Looking at his scoring averages from the 2023-24 season to the 2024-25 season, casual NBA fans would be shocked to see a player of his caliber be waived, as he averaged 22.9 points on 44.1% from the field. However, his game is strictly limited to scoring, making him a liability elsewhere on the court.
Joining Milwaukee could be an ideal situation, with the Bucks already having two strong guards this year in Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins.
It's major news for the Orlando Magic, as Franz Wagner is listed as AVAILABLE as he's been dealing with a left high ankle sprain, last appearing on January 18th. While he doesn't have an All-Star selection to his name, Wagner has averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over the last four seasons.
The only other name listed for the Magic is Colin Castleton, as the two-way player is listed as OUT due to being with the G League team.
The Bucks might be on a three-game winning streak, but the quality of teams they beat doesn't match up to the Magic. Paolo Banchero is starting to play his best basketball as of late, while Anthony Black and Desmond Bane have been strong as well.
If Milwaukee wants to pull out a victory, they'll need everything they can get from their guard duo, as well as see effective performances from Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and Myles Turner.
Tip-off at the Kia Center is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.