The Milwaukee Bucks played inspired basketball against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, thanks to a certain someone's much-welcomed presence inside Fiserv Forum. Prior to tip-off, Bucks players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donte DiVincenzo were treated to quite the surprise when they saw teammate Jrue Holiday inside the locker room.
The 30-year-old guard, after all, had missed Milwaukee's last seven games due to the league's health and safety protocols.
Donte DiVincenzo told us one of the team's equipment managers told him there was a surprise for him in the locker room before the game.
He looked in his locker, didn't see anything and then saw Jrue Holiday. https://t.co/bXIZXkNPig
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) February 22, 2021
While Holiday only stretched with the team pregame and was still unable on Sunday, his presence alone gave the Bucks a much-needed lift. The home team pretty much dominated the Kings all night, running away with a 128-115 win.
Without Holiday's two-way impact on the floor, the Bucks figured in a rough stretch and lost five consecutive games — a first in the Mike Budenholzer era. The team finally got their bearings back and won their last two. While coach Bud made it clear that there's still no exact timetable for the one-time All-Star's return, the fact that he's finally up and about and allowed to join his team is already a promising development.
Prior to missing significant time, Jrue Holiday was fitting in perfectly in his first season in Wisconsin, tallying 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown in 23 games.
Giannis was definitely happy to see him back, as he posted a dominant 38 points and 18 rebounds, while DiVincenzo also had a fine game of 16 points. Khris Middleton also finished with his best game of the season with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six dimes.
The Bucks have finally regained their mojo and are looking to catch up to the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets at the top of the East standings. Jrue Holiday's imminent return only strengthens their chances even more.
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