Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors Preview & Game Thread: Respect the Cup

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 22: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have a date with the Toronto Raptors in the first of four NBA Cup games this season. The Bucks have obviously had a rough start to the season with just one win, but they’ve been in all but two games. Now it’s just about learning how to finish games. Taylor Jenkins is trying to walk and chew gum at the same time, trying to win while giving the new young core opportunities to play and make mistakes. The team’s performance over the last two games (against good teams) shows that Jenkins is doing a pretty decent job of that. Overall, if you could wave a magic wand and fix one thing about the Bucks, it would be their defence, which ranks 27th for the season. Check out Nate’s wonderful NBA Cup preview for the rest of the matchups and everything else you need to know.

The Task Ahead

The Raptors have had a funny season, starting 3-1 and going 1-3 since. The primary reason for their struggles, obviously, is losing Kawhi Leonard, who is out for “a period of weeks” as he deals with left knee swelling; per our friends over at Raptors HQ, Leonard has officially completed treatment to address the swelling and is now moving to the next step in his recovery process.

But what are the other reasons for their struggles? Toronto has been fine offensively without Leonard—which has been the area they have struggled in over the past few years—ranking second in the league in scoring over the last five games (while shooting the 22nd-most threes, interestingly). Their issues have come on the other end, where they rank a putrid 28th over that same span, one spot lower than Milwaukee! Look for the Raptors to come out with a fierce mentality tonight as they try to fix that problem.

Injury Report

Bucks:

• Clean injury report.

Raptors:

• Scottie Barnes: Questionable (adductor)
• Kawhi Leonard: Out (knee)
• Nate Bittle: Out (face)

Player to Watch

As for an individual performers who deserves your attention, look no further than Scottie Barnes, who, if he plays tonight, could cause the Bucks some real problems. Barnes is posting scary numbers across the board so far this season. Barnes has upped his points average from 18.2 to 23.5 as he continues the offensive expansion he showed in last season’s playoffs. Additionally, Barnes has been a menace in the passing lanes, nearly doubling his steals per game from an already ludicrous 1.4 to 2.2 this year. With Leonard out, Barnes will surely look to take over.

Projected StartersBucksPositionRaptorsBrayden BurriesPGImmanuel QuickleyTyler HerroSGRJ BarrettJaime Jaquez Jr.SFJa’Kobe WalterKyle KuzmaPFScottie BarnesMyles TurnerCCollin Murray-BoylesGame Details

Who: Milwaukee Bucks (1-7) vs. Toronro Raptors (4-4).

When: 7:00 p.m. CST.

Where: Fiserv Forum—Milwaukee, WI.

Watch: MY24.

Listen: Check local listings.

Prescient Prediction

Brayden Burries finally has a breakout offensive game. Unlike Milwaukee’s last two opponents, Toronto is struggling to get stops. Give me 17 points and four assists on over 50% shooting.