Bucks Find Chemistry and Clutch Shooting to Outlast Magic in Orlando 116-108
Wednesday night at the Kia Center wasn’t just another stop on the schedule; it was a proving ground. When you overhaul a roster or integrate new pieces on the fly, the results are usually messy. Chemistry is supposed to take months to build, not days. But nobody told that to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In a game that featured wild momentum swings and a scorching hot performance from the opposition, the Bucks leaned on their newest acquisitions to grind out a 116-108 victory over the Orlando Magic. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was the kind of gutsy, character-building win that turns a collection of players into a legitimate team.
Cam Thomas Erupts in Second Game with Bucks
If there were any questions about how Cam Thomas would fit into the Milwaukee system, he answered them emphatically on Wednesday. In just his second game wearing a Bucks jersey since signing as a free agent on Sunday, Thomas was nothing short of electric. He poured in a game-high 34 points, looking every bit the professional scorer Milwaukee hoped they were getting.
Every time the Magic threatened to pull away or seize momentum, Thomas had a response. He played high-intensity basketball, shooting an efficient 12-of-20 from the floor and drilling four 3-pointers.
“I get buckets,” is the simple mantra, and Thomas lived up to it. His third-quarter explosion was particularly vital. After Orlando’s Desmond Bane torched the nets early, Thomas countered with 15 points in the third period alone, including a massive triple that pushed the Bucks’ lead to 88-80. It was a masterclass in offensive resilience.
Porter Jr. Orchestrates the Offense
In the modern NBA, you need a guard who can control the tempo, and Porter Jr. did exactly that, recording the fifth triple-double of his career.
Finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, Porter Jr. was everywhere. He facilitated the offense, finding shooters in the corners and big men in the paint, while also crashing the boards to help end defensive possessions. His chemistry with the bigs was palpable, particularly in the pick-and-roll, where he consistently made the right read.
Dominating the Glass and the Paint
You can’t talk about this win without highlighting the absolute clinic the Bucks put on in the paint. Rebounding is often described as an effort stat—a measure of who wants it more. On Wednesday, Milwaukee wanted it more.
The Bucks crushed Orlando on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 47-30. Leading the charge was Jericho Sims, who was a revelation in the middle. Sims notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass.
Sims was a constant lob threat, playing above the rim and cleaning up missed shots. “He was amazing tonight,” Cam Thomas said of his teammate after the game. “Offensive rebounding, putbacks, lobs. He was sensational… I love playing with lob threats.”
Ousmane Dieng also chipped in with 17 points, showcasing the depth that Milwaukee is starting to cultivate. The size and length of the Bucks eventually wore down the Magic, forcing Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley to admit that Milwaukee’s “big” lineup forced them to adjust, but ultimately, the Magic couldn’t secure the possessions that mattered most.
Weathering the Desmond Bane Storm
This game was far from a cakewalk. The Magic came out firing, specifically Desmond Bane, who looked like he couldn’t miss in the first half. Bane started the game 5-for-5 from deep, racking up 20 points by the middle of the second quarter. He finished with 31 points and kept Orlando within striking distance all night.
When Bane hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 104 with just over three minutes left, the crowd at the Kia Center erupted. It felt like the moment where a road team with new chemistry might fold.
Closing Out with Composure
Instead of crumbling, the Bucks executed. With the game tied, Kyle Kuzma drove for a tough layup to give Milwaukee a 108-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. In the final sixty seconds, Myles Turner and Cam Thomas both buried 3-pointers—daggers that silenced the crowd and sealed the win.
It was a total team effort. From the rebounding dominance of Sims to the playmaking of Porter Jr. and the scoring barrage from Thomas, the Bucks showed they have the pieces to compete. They withstood a barrage from a talented Magic team and answered with composure.
As they head to Oklahoma City for their next matchup, the Bucks aren’t just bringing a win with them; they’re bringing a newfound belief that this roster, as constructed, can make some serious noise.
