Milwaukee Bucks Defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 110-93 as Ousmane Dieng Delivers Career Night in Return to OKC

In a breaking update from Oklahoma City, former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 110-93 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

The victory came in Dieng’s return to Paycom Center after being traded by the Thunder prior to the NBA trade deadline. The 6-foot-9 forward, who earned G League Finals MVP honors with the Oklahoma City Blue in 2024, delivered one of the most complete performances of his NBA career against his former team.

Milwaukee improved its position in the Eastern Conference standings despite playing without All Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the game with a right calf strain. Head coach Doc Rivers was also absent while attending a funeral, with assistant coach Darvin Ham serving as acting head coach.

Oklahoma City entered the game significantly shorthanded. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander sat out with an abdominal strain, while All Star caliber forward Jalen Williams missed the contest with a right hamstring strain. Both players are expected to be re evaluated after the All Star break, a development that could impact the Thunder’s short term rotation and Western Conference outlook.

Milwaukee controlled the game early. AJ Green added 17 points, and Bobby Portis contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Bucks build a 67-55 halftime lead. The Thunder remained within reach thanks to Chet Holmgren, who scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 3:10 of the first half. Holmgren also secured 13 rebounds, continuing his strong two way production this season.

The turning point came in the third quarter. Milwaukee held Oklahoma City to just 16 points in the period and extended the margin to 89-73 entering the fourth. The Bucks pushed the lead to 24 in the final frame, limiting transition opportunities and forcing contested perimeter attempts.

Isaiah Joe led the Thunder with 17 points, providing perimeter scoring in the absence of Gilgeous Alexander. However, Oklahoma City struggled to generate consistent half court offense without its primary playmakers, a factor that underscores the impact of current injuries on the team’s offensive efficiency.

The night also featured a significant personal milestone. Rookie Nikola Topic, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his NBA debut after previously missing time due to a torn ACL and a cancer diagnosis. Topic entered late in the first quarter and received a standing ovation. He scored two points on a mid range jumper in the second quarter and finished with two points, one rebound, and one assist in 12 minutes.

From a broader perspective, this result carries implications for both teams. Milwaukee demonstrated depth and defensive structure without Antetokounmpo, a positive sign as the franchise manages player health ahead of the postseason. For Oklahoma City, the timeline surrounding Gilgeous Alexander and Williams will be critical to maintaining momentum in a competitive Western Conference race.

Next steps are immediate. The Bucks travel to New Orleans on Feb. 20, while the Thunder return home to host Brooklyn on Feb. 20.