Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks | Preseason Game 4 | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
You know what’s strange? I’m about to write a Bulls-Bucks preview in which Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t the headline. The Bucks traded him to Miami in June, and Milwaukee is now a team built around Tyler Herro, Myles Turner and a pile of young players. Meanwhile, my Bulls are playing a Wisconsin road game with a rookie at the four, a new coach and a nasty habit of blowing leads.
I picked the Nuggets to beat us on Sunday and got the winner right, but not the way it happened. Chicago led by as many as 15 in Denver and lost 133-128. The postgame mood was a lot more interesting than the score. Let’s break down what to watch.
Game Info: Bulls at Bucks
- Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Tip-off: 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- TV: Check local listings. The Bulls’ preseason games have been on Chicago Sports Network, and the Bucks’ local home is FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. NBA League Pass is also an option
- Preseason records: Bulls 1-2 (beat Phoenix, lost to Memphis 104-100, lost to Denver 133-128); Bucks 1-2 (lost to Minnesota 116-97, beat Oklahoma City 128-126, lost to Charlotte 105-90)
- Odds: I couldn’t find a reliable posted line. For a preseason game, that’s normal
What Happened in Denver
The first half was the best basketball the Bulls have played in the Tiago Splitter era. Chicago led 68-59 at halftime, led by as many as 15 and made 13 of 25 from three against Denver’s 5 of 18. The bench outscored Denver’s reserves 75-56. Then Nikola Jokic put up 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 26 minutes and found his teammates once he’d diagnosed the double teams. The Nuggets won 133-128.
Leonard Miller was the story for Chicago, scoring 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting with 4-of-6 from three and seven rebounds, almost all of it with the second unit. Caleb Wilson had 17 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, but also 5 turnovers as he struggled early as a point forward. Matas Buzelis scored 13 with 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and the ankle he turned against Memphis didn’t keep him out of the game. Noa Essengue had his most aggressive night yet.
The concerning part was the paint. Denver outscored Chicago 16-8 inside in the first quarter, and Splitter said of the lack of size, “It is a concern.” He expects to use a three-man center rotation to manage minutes.
The Big Man Situation
- Nic Claxton (hamstring) is still out and was set to be re-evaluated in about two weeks.
- Zach Collins has a sore quadriceps and is reportedly getting closer to returning.
- Tobe Awaka missed the Denver game with a sore knee but was expected back for Wednesday.
- Jalen Smith is the center option who’s played in most games, though one report said he’d missed the Memphis game with a foot problem.
Norman Powell rested in Denver. Tre Jones played about 10 minutes and had 5 assists. Both are worth checking on the injury report.
Chicago opens the regular season next Wednesday in Toronto, so there are only two preseason games left (this one and Friday against Minnesota). Splitter has a lot to figure out.
The Bucks: A Very Different Team
Milwaukee moved Giannis to the Heat in June in a package that included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis and picks. Taylor Jenkins is the coach. They’ve been bad defensively in the preseason.
- vs. Minnesota (116-97 loss): Jenkins said the defense was “really lacking for 48 minutes.” Minnesota scored 60 in the paint.
- vs. Oklahoma City (128-126 win): Oklahoma City scored 82 first-half points on 60.8% shooting, but the Bucks won. Myles Turner had 19 points, Ware had 18 and 12 rebounds, and rookie Brayden Burries had 16.
- vs. Charlotte (105-90 loss): The Hornets had 18 offensive rebounds, led by as many as 24 and were in control for most of the night. Jenkins said the Bucks need to be “more locked in especially when it comes to the rebounding.” Herro scored 18 on 6-of-13 shooting, his best preseason night.
Burries, Jakucionis and Nate Ament did not play against Charlotte and were listed as day-to-day (the injury list I found was dated October 11, so check the update). Kyle Kuzma sat out the Oklahoma City game and returned against Charlotte with 12 points. Gary Trent Jr. went 0-for-8 against the Hornets.
One analyst noted that Milwaukee lacks a clear first option offensively, and the center depth is thin. Jenkins started Ware next to Turner, and Jericho Sims is the only center with a guaranteed role beyond them.
The Matchups That Matter
Rebounding. Milwaukee gave up 18 offensive rebounds to Charlotte and Chicago is short on size. The game could come down to who crashes the glass harder.
Pace and transition defense. Splitter wants Chicago to run, and the Bucks have been giving up easy baskets (Minnesota and Oklahoma City both got plenty in transition). If Chicago’s guards can get the ball up the floor quickly, that’s the path.
Wilson and Buzelis. The pair has been the best part of the preseason. Wilson leads Chicago at roughly 17.7 points per game, and Buzelis has averaged around 11 with a team-best 1.3 blocks. Their minutes together are what matter.
Closing out the game. Chicago has lost two straight close games, including the one in Denver after a 15-point lead. The Bulls need to show they can finish, even in an exhibition.
What Actually Decides It
Both teams are 1-2 and both have significant roster questions. The Bucks have the more experienced roster, with Turner and Herro, but they’ve been porous on defense. The Bulls have the better young wings and they shoot better than they defend.
I’ll say Chicago gets a win here. The Bucks’ rebounding and perimeter defense problems line up with what the Bulls do well, and Splitter will want to close a game for once. It won’t be pretty, and the starters will play limited minutes.
My Final Score Prediction: Chicago Bulls 119, Milwaukee Bucks 114
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