No Kevin Durant as Phoenix Suns Mike Budenholzer return to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Mike Budenholzer returns to Milwaukee for the first time since the Bucks parted ways with him in 2023, as the home side welcome the visiting Phoenix Suns on April 1 (April 2, Singapore time).

It will be Budenholzer’s first time at Fiserv Forum since Game 5 of the 2023 National Basketball Association (NBA) first-round series when the Bucks lost to the Miami Heat.

Before these teams played one week ago in Arizona, the Phoenix PR staff did not allow Bucks reporters to ask questions. Budenholzer did acknowledge one from a Suns media member.

“I mean, it was a great five years, but right now before the game I’d rather just focus on Phoenix, focus on us,” he said. “Our players don’t care (about my history with Milwaukee). I probably shouldn’t either.”

Both teams will be looking to snap losing skids. Phoenix (35-40) head into the game off a 148-109 blowout on March 30 at home to the Houston Rockets – their third loss in a row.

“Couple days ago, we won four games in a row. We have to find a way to get back to that,” Budenholzer said. “(Against Houston) it was a step in the wrong direction. It’s a group that’s got fight; we’ve got to bring it Tuesday.”

The Suns coach added that superstar Kevin Durant will not fly with the team to Milwaukee after he rolled his ankle early in the Rockets game.

Milwaukee (40-34),meanwhile, have lost four in a row and nine of their last 13. The Bucks fell to the Atlanta Hawks 145-124 on March 30 in their last game.

It was another game for Milwaukee in which they shot a high percentage and yet lost handily. They were shooting 69 per cent at half-time yet were down seven.

“It’s almost