Ousmane Dieng delivered one of the most complete performances of his young NBA career Thursday night, making a powerful statement against his former team. The 6-foot-9 French forward poured in 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out six assists, and swatted four shots to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a convincing 110-93 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For Dieng, the performance carried added significance. Just days earlier, Oklahoma City had traded him to Milwaukee ahead of the NBA trade deadline. A former G-League Finals MVP who helped the Oklahoma City Blue capture the 2024 championship, Dieng had been serving as a reserve for the Thunder before the move. Against his old squad, he looked motivated and composed, showcasing the versatility that has long intrigued NBA scouts.
Milwaukee needed every bit of that production.
Shorthanded Teams Battle Through Absences
Both teams entered the matchup without key contributors, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
The Bucks were without head coach Doc Rivers, who was attending a funeral. They also missed their franchise cornerstone, Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a right calf strain. The absence of their All-Star leader forced Milwaukee to rely on depth and balanced scoring.
Oklahoma City faced even steeper personnel challenges. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unavailable due to an abdominal issue, and dynamic wing Jalen Williams missed the game with a hamstring injury. Without two of their primary offensive engines, the Thunder were forced to adjust their rotation and lean heavily on supporting contributors.
Despite those absences, the contest carried weight. Oklahoma City entered the night as the NBA’s best team at 42-14 and was riding momentum after impressive road wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix. Milwaukee, meanwhile, sat at 23-30 and desperately needed consistency.
Bucks Take Early Control
Milwaukee established control early and never truly relinquished it.
The Bucks dominated the first half with disciplined defense and crisp ball movement. AJ Green contributed 17 points, spacing the floor effectively, while Bobby Portis added 15 points and 12 rebounds, providing his usual physical presence in the paint.
Dieng’s impact extended beyond the box score. His defensive versatility disrupted Oklahoma City’s rhythm, and his ability to initiate offense gave Milwaukee a valuable secondary playmaker.
Oklahoma City threatened to make it competitive late in the second quarter, largely behind Chet Holmgren’s scoring surge. Holmgren erupted for 11 points in the final 3:10 of the second period, showing his length and shooting touch in a flurry that energized the home crowd. Even so, the Bucks maintained a comfortable 67-55 lead at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive.
Milwaukee tightened defensively, holding the Thunder to just 16 points in the period. The visitors extended their lead to 89-73 entering the fourth quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach. By the final period, the margin ballooned to 24 points, underscoring Milwaukee’s control.
Isaiah Joe led Oklahoma City with 17 points, while Holmgren finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. However, without Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot creation and Williams’ two-way play, the Thunder struggled to generate consistent offense against a disciplined Bucks defense.
Emotional Debut for Nikola Topic
One of the most heartwarming moments of the night came during the first quarter when Nikola Topic made his long-awaited NBA debut.
The No. 12 pick in the 2024 draft had not played this season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. His professional journey has also included recovery from a torn ACL that cost him his first season. When Topic entered the game late in the first quarter, the arena responded with a loud ovation.
Though his minutes were limited, the moment symbolized resilience and perseverance. For Oklahoma City, Topic’s debut represented a positive step forward amid a challenging evening.
LeBron James Makes History in California
While Milwaukee and Oklahoma City battled in the Midwest, history was unfolding on the West Coast.
In California, LeBron James once again rewrote the NBA record books. The Los Angeles Lakers star became the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double, accomplishing the feat in a commanding 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
James finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, registering his 123rd career triple-double — the fifth-most in NBA history. At 41 years and 44 days old, he surpassed Karl Malone’s previous mark. Malone had recorded a triple-double for the Lakers at 40 years and 127 days old.
When postseason performances are included, James now owns 152 career triple-doubles, further cementing his legacy as one of the most complete players the game has ever seen.
The Lakers controlled the game throughout, using balanced scoring and transition opportunities to overwhelm Dallas. James’ command of tempo and court vision remained as sharp as ever, defying conventional expectations about aging in professional sports.
Portland Dominates in Salt Lake City
Elsewhere around the league, the Portland Trail Blazers delivered an emphatic offensive display, thrashing the Utah Jazz 135-119 in Salt Lake City.
Portland’s high-paced attack overwhelmed Utah’s defense, as the visitors dictated tempo and capitalized on efficient perimeter shooting. The result added another notable outcome to a night filled with compelling storylines across the NBA landscape.
Bigger Picture Implications
For Milwaukee, Thursday’s victory provided much-needed momentum. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, the Bucks demonstrated that their supporting cast can step up in high-pressure situations. Dieng’s emergence could prove particularly valuable as the team navigates the remainder of the season.
For Oklahoma City, the loss does little to diminish their standing atop the league. However, it highlights the importance of health as the postseason approaches. The Thunder’s depth remains impressive, but the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams revealed how central those two are to the team’s offensive identity.
Meanwhile, LeBron James continues to redefine longevity, adding yet another milestone to a résumé that already spans over two decades of elite play.
On a night that featured breakout performances, emotional milestones, and historic achievements, the NBA once again showcased its blend of drama, resilience, and generational excellence.