Bucks Catch Fire, Shoot Highest FG% This Century

The Milwaukee Bucks entered Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns under pressure. Mired in a four-game slump and missing Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo emphasized the urgency, telling teammates they were 'fighting for our lives.' The team responded with an offensive explosion rarely seen in the modern NBA.

Their 68.9% field goal percentage wasn't just a franchise best, eclipsing a mark set in 1985, but the highest recorded in the league this century. Every Bucks player who took the court shot at least 50%. Antetokounmpo was masterful, orchestrating the offense as acting point guard, scoring 37 points and dishing 11 assists. Brook Lopez added 22 points, and Ryan Rollins provided a vital spark off the bench with a career-high 23 points, hitting key shots down the stretch to fend off a Suns comeback attempt.

Despite the offensive brilliance, challenges remained. The Bucks committed 20 turnovers, leading to 26 points for the Suns, and Phoenix dominated second-chance points (24-3). The Suns, led by Devin Booker's 39 points and missing Kevin Durant, managed to cut a 22-point deficit to just four late in the game before Rollins' heroics sealed the Milwaukee win.

The game also marked Suns coach Mike Budenholzer's return to Fiserv Forum since his dismissal by the Bucks in 2023. Additionally, Bucks coach Doc Rivers achieved a milestone, tying Phil Jackson for 7th place on the NBA's all-time coaching wins list with 1,155 victories.

While the record-setting shooting display is remarkable, the Bucks know they need to clean up the turnovers and improve rebounding to make a deep playoff run, especially with Lillard's return uncertain.

What record did the Bucks set?

The Bucks set a franchise record by shooting 68.9% from the field. It was also the highest single-game field goal percentage by any NBA team since March 1998.

Who were the standout performers for the Bucks?

Giannis Antetokounmpo (37 points, 11 assists), Ryan Rollins (career-high 23 points), and Brook Lopez (22 points) led the Bucks.

Why was this win significant for Milwaukee?

It snapped a four-game losing streak and provided a much-needed boost as they compete for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference, all while missing Damian Lillard.

How did the Phoenix Suns perform?

Despite the loss, Devin Booker scored 39 points. The Suns were playing without Kevin Durant and couldn't overcome the Bucks' historic shooting accuracy, though they did force 20 turnovers.

Do you think the Bucks can maintain this offensive efficiency, or was this just a historic outlier? Let us know!

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