3 observations after Sixers’ loss to Bucks ends winless weekend – NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2024-25 Sixers reached the midway point with a winless weekend.

The team lost its sixth straight game Sunday night in Milwaukee, dropping a 123-109 contest to the Bucks.

Through 41 games, the Sixers are 15-26.

Tyrese Maxey posted 37 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 15 rebounds and six assists for the Bucks, who improved to 24-17. Damian Lillard scored 25 points.

Again, bullet points are appropriate for a rundown of the Sixers’ players out for the game:

  • Joel Embiid (dealing with left knee injury)
  • Paul George (left groin tightness)
  • Andre Drummond (left toe injury recovery)
  • Guerschon Yabusele (right knee swelling)
  • Kyle Lowry (right hip sprain)
  • Caleb Martin (right hip sprain)
  • KJ Martin (stress reaction on left foot)
  • Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery)

The Sixers conclude their three-game road trip on Tuesday night when they face the Nuggets. Here are observations of their loss to Milwaukee:

Bona takes on Antetokounmpo in 1st NBA start

In Game 41, the Sixers used their 26th starting lineup. Adem Bona received his first NBA start after a bright performance the night before against the Pacers. He opened the game with Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ricky Council IV.

Asked 10 days ago about standout moments from his rookie year involving opposing stars, Bona named Antetokounmpo.

“There are a couple of guys that I really looked up to coming into the league,” he said. “Playing against Giannis. I didn’t have the opportunity to do anything against him. He was investigated immediately, but I shared the court with him, so I can say that.”‘

Bona got a lot more Sunday than a brief moment on the floor with Antetokounmpo. He guarded him on the game’s first possession and challenged a mid-range miss. The Sixers quickly switched to a zone defense, but Bona was the primary defender on Antetokounmpo all night.

Offensively, Bona wasn’t afraid to attack in the first quarter. He walked up to Bobby Portis and yelled, “And-one!” after a nice spin move and jump hook through contact. The 21-year-old also showed a big pop in the second quarter when he faked a dribble handoff and floated between Antetokounmpo and Lopez for a dunk.

On a lesser note, Bona shot 2 for 6 at the foul line. He had been solid there – 17 for 23 – before Sunday. From the field, Bona was perfect on the weekend going 9 for 9.

So much on Maxey’s shoulders

The Bucks’ advantages in size, star power and health were all evident late in the first quarter.

An Antetokounmpo layup with 2.1 seconds left in the first gave him 12 points and put Milwaukee up 30-21. As a team, the Bucks scored 24 first quarter points in the paint.

The Sixers then pushed back at the start of the second period. Maxey drilled two three-pointers and the Sixers began the quarter on a 10-0 run. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers called timeout with his team trailing 36-32 after a wide-open Gordon jumper.

Although the Sixers tried to vary their offense and had some success due to double drags and stack pick-and-roll actions, many possessions inevitably relied on Maxey late in the shot clock. With players like Oubre (19 points) and Council (13 points) coming along, it was clear who the Sixers would have to turn to to create shots.

Maxey played 41 minutes and made 28 field goals, a very heavy workload on the second night of a back-to-back. All things considered, Maxey’s efficiency and ruthlessness were impressive.

Almost no depth

Bona picked up his fourth foul with 7:20 left in the third quarter. About two minutes later, Pete Nance entered.

The Sixers’ depth has been minimal in recent days. The team’s three players on two-way contracts were the three men to check in from the bench on Sunday night. Nance logged 24 minutes and had eight points on 3-for-9 shooting and six rebounds.

The Sixers continued to play hard and stay in the game. Council made two straight threes in the third quarter and an Oubre triple cut Milwaukee’s lead to 79-76.

While Lillard was relatively quiet for most of the game, his jumpers began to fall in the fourth quarter. And while the Bucks’ defense wasn’t stellar Sunday, they had a low-turnover night — just seven giveaways — against an opponent that often forces a high number of fouls.

Even if the Sixers are able to add a player or two to the mix in Denver, the reality is that every game has looked extremely scary when they are so undermanned. The Nuggets improved to 26-16 Sunday by beating the Magic. After Denver, the Sixers will play the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs.