Bucks' Giannis to play vs. Jazz despite losing streak

Milwaukee looks to snap 4-game skid against struggling Utah squad

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Milwaukee Bucks will have star Giannis Antetokounmpo available as they host the Utah Jazz on March 7, looking to snap a four-game losing streak that has seen them fall further out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Bucks have struggled offensively and defensively during their recent slide, but will face a Jazz team that is tanking and has the league's worst scoring defense.

Why it matters

The Bucks are in a precarious position, sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture despite having Giannis back from injury. A win over the lowly Jazz could help them gain ground, but they'll need to find a way to get their offense and defense back on track after a rough stretch.

The details

The Bucks have lost five of their last seven games, scoring under 100 points in four of those losses. Their defense has also struggled, allowing 120.1 points per game over that stretch. The Jazz, meanwhile, have the seventh-best scoring offense in the league but also own the NBA's worst scoring defense, potentially providing an opportunity for the Bucks to get back on track.

  • The Bucks host the Jazz on March 7 at Fiserv Forum.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to action this week after missing nearly six weeks with a right calf strain.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Bucks' superstar is no longer on the injury report after returning from a nearly six-week absence due to a right calf strain, though he is playing under a minutes restriction.

AJ Green

The Bucks guard spoke about the team's focus on controlling what they can control and not worrying about the standings, with the goal of snapping their current losing streak.

Keyonte George

The young Jazz guard is averaging 24 points per game and could give the Bucks' defense trouble.

Ace Bailey

The other young Jazz guard is averaging 12.4 points per game and could also challenge the Bucks' defense.

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What they’re saying

“'Cause this league, anything can happen. We've lost four in a row. Somebody else can lose four in a row, we win four in a row and we're right back there. So just control the controllables, focus on us.”

— AJ Green, Bucks guard (thenorthwestern.com)

“No, I'm not getting into that. That's something that's; I think he feels that way, but not from me.”

— Doc Rivers, Bucks head coach (thenorthwestern.com)

What’s next

The Bucks will travel to Miami on March 12 to face the Heat, who currently hold the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

The takeaway

The Bucks have a prime opportunity to get back on track against the struggling Jazz, but they'll need to shore up their offense and defense to capitalize. A win could help them gain ground in the crowded Eastern Conference play-in race, but they'll need to maintain focus and control what they can control.