Verdicts in on status of Giannis, Giddey in Bulls-Bucks clash

The Central Division matchup between Chicago and Milwaukee gives the Bulls a chance to win a season-high sixth straight game.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey were both listed as questionable on Saturday's injury report prior to their Central Division showdown. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks will have Giannis Antetokounmpo back following an eight-game absence due to a calf strain. The two-time MVP went through his usual routine at the United Center on Saturday night, experienced no setbacks and was upgraded from 'questionable.'

Head coach Doc Rivers said he'd be ready to play, although a minutes restriction was considered likely. The Chicago Bulls also deemed guard Josh Giddey as good to go after listing him as 'questionable' with an ankle sprain.

It’s quite possible that these teams will end up jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference play-in once we get to the final weeks of the season. As things stand, the Chicago Bulls lead the Milwaukee Bucks by a couple of games for third place in the Central Division and rank 10th in the Eastern Conference, which is right around where they’ve resided for years.

Milwaukee isn’t used to slumming it under .500, finishing outside of the top-eight only once with Antetokounmpo leading the way over the past decade. The Bucks will have work to do to dig out of their current hole if they’re to avoid their first losing record since 2015-16. They continue a five-game road trip with three games spaced out over four nights after falling in Memphis on Friday and playing in Charlotte on Monday. 

Chicago closed on an 11-0 run against the 76ers on Friday to post a 109-102 upset, running their win streak to five games. After opening 5-0, the Bulls look to establish a season-best run of prosperity by handling business against a division rival in the second game of a six-game homestand that extends into 2026.

INJURY REPORT

BUCKS

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Available - Right Calf Strain

Gary Trent Jr.: Out - Left Calf Contusion

Taurean Prince: Out - Neck Surgery Recovery

Alex Antetokounmpo: Out - G League (Two-way)

GRIZZLIES 

Josh Giddey: Available - Left Ankle Sprain

Noa Essengue: Out - Left Shoulder Surgery

Lachlan Olbrich: Out - G League (Two-way)

Trentyn Flowers: Out - G League (Two-way)

Emmanuel Miller: Out - G League (Two-way)

Vitals - How to Watch Bucks at Bulls

Game date, time and location: Saturday, Dec. 27, 8:10 p.m. EST, United Center, Chicago, Illinois

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (Bucks), Chicago Sports Network (Bulls)

Radio:  WTMJ (Bucks), WLS, WSCR (Bulls)

Central Division rivals square off for second time 

The Milwaukee Bucks (12-19) visit the surging Chicago Bulls (15-15) in the second of a back-to-back for both teams. Antetokounmpo returning to action is the biggest story in the entire NBA on Saturday, but Chicago’s surge has gone under the radar. Owners of the longest win streak in the East and second-longest in the league behind the San Antonio Spurs (8), the Bulls can climb above .500 for the first time since Nov. 24.

Chicago was 6-1 when it opened a road swing in Milwaukee on Nov. 7 with a 126-110 loss. The contest was an NBA Cup Group C clash and saw Antetokounmpo stuff the Bulls in a locker with 41 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. The “Greek Freak” scored 19 of his points in the fourth quarter, part of a 41-point explosion that put away a close game.

These teams will play twice in ‘26, returning to Fiserv Forum on Feb. 3 and finishing up at United Center on March 1.

The Bucks had won 16 of 17 matchups against the Bulls from Jan. ‘18- April ‘22, and although things have been much tighter lately, Milwaukee has still won eight of 13 following this season’s conquest. Despite their huge run over the past seven years, the Bucks still trail the lifetime series that dates back to 1968, 137-135.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings) 

Spread: Bulls -2.5 (-105), Bucks +2.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Bulls -130, Bucks +110

Total: 232.5 (Over -115, Under -105)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

BUCKS

F Kyle Kuzma

F Giannis Antetokounmpo

C Myles Turner

G Kevin Porter Jr.

G AJ Green

BULLS

F Isaac Okoro

F Matas Buzelis

C Nikola Vucevic

G Cody White

G Josh Giddey

Bucks coach Doc Rivers on Kevin Porter Jr.’s turnover issues: "Scoot has a chance to be a terrific player, he does. Where he has to grow is get over the last play. His last mistake leads to his next mistake. And he’s young, especially he’s young at that position, and there’s some growing pains that you have to live through with him…I gotta keep doing a better job of trying to settle him and get him a play where the ball just gets out of his hands and moves, so that’s what we’ve been working on.”