Rollins Steps Up as Golden State Warriors Fall Short in Milwaukee 120-110
MILWAUKEE — Sometimes basketball gives you what you need when you least expect it. Ryan Rollins proved that Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors, carrying the Milwaukee Bucks to a 120-110 victory while Giannis Antetokounmpo watched from the bench.
Warriors Face Uphill Battle Without Antetokounmpo on Court
The pregame buzz centered on whether Antetokounmpo would suit up. Listed as probable with left knee soreness, the two-time MVP ultimately sat out, leaving the Bucks without their engine—a guy averaging 36.3 points and 14.0 rebounds per game, second in the league in both categories. You’d think that would spell trouble for Milwaukee. Instead, it opened the door for Rollins to have a career night.
Rollins didn’t just show up. He exploded. Thirty-two points on 13-of-21 shooting, including five three-pointers. Eight assists. The kind of performance that makes coaches lean back in their chairs and wonder if they’ve been sitting on something special all along. This came just two nights after he dropped 25 in a win over the Knicks. Back-to-back career highs. That’s not luck—that’s a player finding his rhythm at exactly the right moment.
“I just wanted to be aggressive,” Rollins said after the game, still catching his breath. You could see it in his eyes—the quiet confidence of someone who finally got his chance and didn’t waste it.
Golden State Warriors Battle Hard Despite Loss
Stephen Curry did everything he could to keep the Warriors in it. Twenty-seven points, that silky-smooth shot working overtime. Jonathan Kuminga added 24, and Jimmy Butler—yeah, that Jimmy Butler—chipped in 23 points and 11 rebounds. But Golden State’s bench couldn’t match Milwaukee’s second unit, getting outscored 38-29. In a game this tight, those margins matter.
The Golden State Warriors clawed back late. Down eight with five minutes left, they got within two points on a Curry three-pointer with just over four minutes remaining. Fiserv Forum got quiet for a moment. Then Rollins answered ten seconds later with a three of his own, sparking an 11-2 run that effectively sealed it.
Curry had been perfect from the free-throw line for what felt like forever—57 straight makes, the second-longest streak of his career. That run ended with a miss late in the fourth quarter. Even legends can’t stay perfect forever.
Golden State Warriors’ Struggles Continue on the Road
Golden State falls to 4-2 on the season, 1-2 on the road. Milwaukee improves to 4-1, a perfect 3-0 at home. The numbers tell part of the story, but they don’t capture the frustration of watching your team come so close only to see it slip away in the final minutes.
Myles Turner added 17 points for the Bucks, while Cole Anthony contributed 16 off the bench before fouling out with 7:34 left. Even without their superstar, Milwaukee had enough depth to weather Golden State’s late surge. That’s the mark of a well-coached team—one that doesn’t panic when Plan A disappears an hour before tipoff.
What’s Next for the Golden State Warriors?
The Warriors head to Indiana on Saturday to face the Pacers, who are still searching for their first win at 0-4. Milwaukee hosts the Sacramento Kings, also on Saturday. Both teams will look to build on what they learned Thursday night—the Bucks that they can win without Giannis when role players step up, and the Warriors that closing games on the road remains their biggest challenge.
Rollins capped his night with one last three-pointer in the final seconds, the crowd roaring its approval. He stood there for a moment, soaking it in. Twenty-five points Tuesday. Thirty-two Thursday. You wonder what’s next for a guy who started his NBA career with Golden State back in 2022-23 and now just torched his old team.
Basketball has a funny way of coming full circle. Ryan Rollins lived that truth at Fiserv Forum, and the Warriors walked away wondering what might have been if they could’ve found an answer for him. Sometimes the story writes itself. Thursday night, it was Rollins holding the pen.
