Milwaukee Bucks started their first week without Jason Kidd on Monday night as they took on Phoenix in a game without Giannis Antetokounmpo. A sudden wave of excitement went over Bucks fans to know they didn’t have to deal with Kidd on Monday night. People weren’t cheering for the team to struggle to lead to Kidd’s release, rather, they just got to enjoy guys like Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon balling. Milwaukee had a couple big runs in the fourth quarter to give Milwaukee a much-needed victory in Joe Prunty’s first game under his own regime.

Brogdon breaks out
What an evening for Malcom Brogdon. He finished with a career-high 32 points with four rebounds and three assists. Brogdon did it on 13 total shots making eleven total. He played fantastic basketball tonight. Maybe it’s me looking into it, but Brogdon appeared to be more confident in himself. Knowing things like if he makes a mistake, it’s not going to be a quick hook.

First impressions for Joe Prunty
We’ll have to see him against a good team before really judging him, but so far, so good. Prunty did a pretty good job with the roster tonight. There were some weird lineups, but I thought that had more to do without having Giannis there. Loved him getting into the officials’ face in the second quarter which is something you don’t see all the time from Kidd. Jason Terry getting 13 minutes is a little too much for me.

Khris Middleton continues to relish without Giannis
Let me say, I’m not advocating for a world without Giannis Antetokounmpo. But it seems Khris Middleton really enjoys being the guy. For example, he closed this game out in the fourth in magical fashion. Khris hit big shot after big shot down the stretch to close out Phoenix. He likes to be the man. You almost wonder if he might make more sense on a struggling team where Middleton could be the star player.

Next up
Milwaukee stays home and plays Brooklyn on Friday night. This is a nice, long break for Milwaukee which will be great for a team and a new coach. Giannis will have to face the music in the next couple days, but once that’s over, he can play basketball again. Antetokounmpo is having a big night on Friday, book it.