Milwaukee Bucks Edge Past Phoenix Suns to Extend Win Streak to 14 Games

• The Milwaukee Bucks continued their unbeaten run with a narrow win over the Phoenix Suns
• The game between the 2021 NBA Finalists was tightly contested, featuring 14 lead changes
• Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant did not see action for the Bucks and Suns, respectively

No Giannis, no problem!

The Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to 14 games with a thrilling 104-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Four players scored in double-figures for the Bucks, who moved to within a half-game of the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Holiday inspires Bucks to win

Jrue Holiday led the way for the Bucks, finishing with 33 points, five assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 35 minutes of action.

Kevin Durant brilliantly dissects Phoenix Suns' championship chances

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Brook Lopez added 22 points, including the go-ahead basket, with 24.8 seconds remaining in the contest, per ESPN. He also had 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Khris Middleton was the team’s leading scorer off the bench with 11 points.

What made the victory so special for the Bucks was that they achieved it without Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP was sidelined due to a bruised right quadriceps he suffered in the first quarter of Milwaukee’s 128-99 win over the Miami Heat on Friday.

The Bucks moved ever closer to breaking the franchise record for consecutive wins. The record stands at 20 straight victories, which was accomplished by the Bucks during their 1970-71 championship season.

Durant's return draws ever closer

It’s back to the drawing board for the Suns, who lost for the second time in three games. They remain in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 33-29 record, but the race is tightening up for the guaranteed playoff spots.

Kevin Love signs with the Miami Heat after completing buyout from the Cleveland Cavaliers

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However, help is on the way for the Suns, with Kevin Durant set to make his much-anticipated debut soon. He had not appeared in a game for Phoenix since the blockbuster trade and hasn’t played since January 8, when he sprained his right medial collateral ligament.

The Suns nearly pulled off the win against the Bucks but could not execute down the stretch. Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Chris Paul combined for 64 points in a losing effort for the Suns.

Giannis becoming injury-prone

Sports Brief recently reported on the injury Giannis picked up against the Heat. He left the game with 1:13 remaining in the first quarter after the two-time MVP signaled to the bench to call a timeout.

He was listed on the injury report before the game because of a sprained right wrist he suffered before the All-Star break.

The excellent news for Giannis and the Bucks is that his injury is nothing serious, and he is considered day-to-day.