Bucks and Nets Battling Hard Despite Losing Records

Two teams looking ahead to the offseason face off in a late-season matchup.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:10am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the competitive energy of the matchup.The Bucks and Nets' late-season clash showcases the competitive spirit of both teams, even as their playoff hopes have faded.Memphis Today

The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, both out of playoff contention, are playing better basketball of late despite their losing records. The Bucks are coming off a 131-115 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Nets defeated the Washington Wizards 121-115. Both teams have key players dealing with injuries, but the younger and veteran players are still motivated to compete in these final games of the season.

Why it matters

Though the Bucks and Nets are not playoff-bound, these late-season games still hold meaning for the players as they look to end the season on a high note and gain valuable experience. The matchup between these two teams provides an interesting look at how teams approach the final stretch when their postseason hopes have faded.

The details

The Bucks were led by Ryan Rollins' 24 points in their win over the Grizzlies, with Cormac Ryan adding 21 points off the bench. Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised his team's effort, saying the games are meaningful for both younger and veteran players. The Nets were paced by Nolan Traore's career-high 23 points and seven assists in their victory over the Wizards. Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was pleased with Traore's performance, especially given the rookie's workload with the team's many injuries.

  • The Bucks and Nets will face off on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in New York.
  • The teams will meet again on Friday, April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee.

The players

Ryan Rollins

A Bucks player who led the team with 24 points in their recent win over the Grizzlies.

Cormac Ryan

A Bucks player who scored 21 points off the bench in their victory over the Grizzlies.

Doc Rivers

The head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Nolan Traore

A Nets player who scored a career-high 23 points and had 7 assists in their win over the Wizards.

Jordi Fernandez

The head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

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What they’re saying

“We got new guys in the rotation, myself being one of them. Everybody's trying to find ways to help each other and help the team win. Just trying to be hungry for opportunity, I'm not doing anything different than I have all year.”

— Cormac Ryan, Bucks player

“I know we're out of the playoffs and all that, but these games are meaningful to a lot of guys. These are hard games; I was really happy with everybody (Sunday).”

— Doc Rivers, Bucks head coach

“(Traore) is a big reason why we won this game, especially towards the end. Even though at times it gets rocky with the amount of games and travel and he's a rookie, he's always tried to do the right thing. I've always been pleased with his attitude, his work.”

— Jordi Fernandez, Nets head coach

What’s next

The Bucks and Nets will face off again on Friday, April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee.

The takeaway

Despite their losing records, the Bucks and Nets are showing fight and determination in the final games of the season. The younger players are getting valuable experience, while the veterans are still motivated to compete. These late-season matchups provide an interesting look at how teams approach the stretch run when playoff contention is no longer in the picture.