NBA Recap: No Giannis, No Problem as Bucks defeat Kings

Reigning NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks were without their influential star Giannis Antetokounmpo for their clash against the Sacramento Kings, but other players stepped up to help the Bucks claim a win in the game.

With Antetokounmpo missing out through a knee injury, the Bucks had Khris Middleton contribute 34 points to lead the scoring for them. Jrue Holiday also recorded 26 points for the Bucks in the win. Donte DiVincenzo contributed 20 points for the Bucks, and George Hill and Pat Connaught contributed 17 and 15 points, respectively. D’Tigers star Jordan Nwora also got in on the action with 10 points and five rebounds for the Bucks.

Harrison Barnes led the scoring for the Kings against the Bucks with 29 points, and Tyres Halliburton contributed 24 points and 12 assists as the Kings looked to defeat the Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks have won the most games in the Eastern Conference but currently occupy fourth place in the standings as they have lost more games than all of the teams above them.

The Phoenix Suns maintained top spot in the Western Conference with a 113-103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Mikal Bridges led the scoring for the Suns with 23 points as Chris Paul, Javale McGee and Bismack Brymbo all contributed a double-double. Paul had 18 points and 16 assists as McGee contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Brymbo contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Chris Duarte and Lance Stephenson led the scoring for the Pacers with 17 points apiece and Goga Bitadze contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Lamb recorded 14 points for the Pacers, too.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 94-87 to maintain fifth place in the Eastern Conference just behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

Darius Garland led the scoring for the Cavaliers with a double-double of 23 points and 11 assists in the game, and rookie Evan Mobley recorded 15 points and 17 rebounds. Jarrett Allen also finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring for the Thunder with 29 points in defeat.