In a much-needed boost for their playoff hopes, the Milwaukee Bucks snapped the Chicago Bulls' five-game winning streak with a 112-103 victory on Saturday night, December 27, 2025 (Sunday, December 28, Philippine Time). The win was powered by the triumphant return of their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo's Dominant Return from Injury
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player made his presence felt immediately after an eight-game absence due to a right calf strain. Antetokounmpo finished with 29 points and eight rebounds in just 25 minutes of action, adhering to a planned minutes restriction set by head coach Doc Rivers. His efficient first half, where he scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, helped Milwaukee establish a 54-50 lead at halftime.
The statistics underscore his immense value to the Bucks. The team's record now stands at 9-8 with him in the lineup, compared to a dismal 3-11 without him. His return couldn't have been timelier, as Milwaukee had lost six of its previous eight contests.
Bucks Seal Victory with Late-Game Surge
While Antetokounmpo provided the star power, key contributions from the supporting cast sealed the deal. Ryan Rollins scored 20 points, and Bobby Portis added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The game remained tight in the fourth quarter, with the Bucks clinging to a 95-94 lead.
However, Milwaukee pulled away for good with a decisive 8-0 run, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Rollins and AJ Green. After that surge, Chicago never managed to get closer than three points for the remainder of the game. For the Bulls, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White led the scoring with 16 points each, while Josh Giddey added 13.
Other Notable NBA Results
In other action around the league, the Phoenix Suns completed a two-game sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans, winning 123-114. Devin Booker scored 20 points, including crucial late jumpers. The game turned heated in the third quarter, resulting in the ejections of Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Suns center Mark Williams after a physical altercation.
In a thrilling contest, the Orlando Magic edged the Denver Nuggets 127-126. Anthony Black erupted for a career-high 38 points, and Desmond Bane hit two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds left. The win came despite another historic triple-double from Denver's Nikola Jokic, who tallied 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 12 assists for his 180th career triple-double.
Other final scores from Sunday (PH time) included:
- Sacramento Kings 113, Dallas Mavericks 107
- Houston Rockets 117, Cleveland Cavaliers 100
- Miami Heat 142, Indiana Pacers 116
- Brooklyn Nets 123, Minnesota Timberwolves 107
- Utah Jazz 127, San Antonio Spurs 114
- New York Knicks 128, Atlanta Hawks 125
