Bulls vs. Bucks: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Chicago Bulls (0-0) play against the Milwaukee Bucks (0-0) at Fiserv Forum

Game Time: 6:30 PM EDT on Sunday April 17, 2022

Chicago Bulls 16, Milwaukee Bucks 32 (Q1 01:19)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Grayson Allen enters to a mix of cheers and boos – 6:52 PM

Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Alright, I’ve watched enough Vooch jumps shots for a lifetime. Wake me up when Suns/Pels tips. – 6:52 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
The Bulls have gotten some genuinely great looks from 3-point range, but they’re not falling at all. Alex Caruso whiffs completely to drop the Bulls to 1-for-5 from behind the arc. – 6:51 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Scary Hours. 😳 pic.twitter.com/4tLWWWSMXb – 6:51 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bucks playing a lot of 5-out so far … Bulls very little answers on defense. – 6:50 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Rajon Rondo for No. 84 on the all-time playoffs rebounds list. – 6:50 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Alex Caruso. pic.twitter.com/8R98gRb4n6 – 6:48 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Vooch gets the first Bulls points of the night with a 3-pointer. Bulls need him to click early to keep this series competitive. – 6:47 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
NBA awards finalists: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo finish top three for MVP
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-a… – 6:47 PM

Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
I might be watching naked and afraid by halftime if the bulls don’t get it together – 6:46 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Uh oh. Giannis pulling up early. 🤫 pic.twitter.com/X3TsZ1cmpt – 6:46 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Bulls fans at Fiserv Forum during that timeout …. pic.twitter.com/ZyWnHWpPhp – 6:45 PM

Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
giannis pulling up like that less than 2 mins in almost as disrespectful as kyrie throwing it off the backboard to lebron on the opening possession of the series against the raptors – 6:45 PM

Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
Meanwhile, the Bucks are probably feeling pretty good about opting for the 3-seed lol – 6:45 PM

Trey Kerby @treykerby
Bulls are gonna need to score here. – 6:45 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo hits a pull-up triple and mean mugs as he flexes down the floor.
Bucks up, 9-0, after a minute and a half. Timeout to Billy Donovan. – 6:44 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo punctuates a 9-0 game-opening run for the #Bucks. #Bulls start 0-for-3 from the floor. – 6:44 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Bucks tear off a 9-0 run before Billy Donovan takes a timeout. Less than ideal start for the Bulls. – 6:43 PM

KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Bucks take 9-0 lead before Donovan burns a timeout. DeRozan 0-2 from midrange. Lopez 4 points off switches. – 6:43 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Bucks open game on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a Giannis 3. Timeout Billy Donovan, 10:27 Q1 – 6:43 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Brook Lopez with the first four points of the game.
Billy Donovan spoke before the game about how much of an edge he adds for the Bucks around the rim. – 6:43 PM

Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Finally. Playoff time in Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/S6boT37XGe – 6:42 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
PWill obviously gets first Giannis duty, Zach on Jrue Holiday. – 6:42 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Brook Lopez opens scoring today with two free throws after getting lost behind the defense in the dunker and getting fouled on his shot attempt. – 6:42 PM

Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
History suggests tonight might be Bulls’ best chance to steal one in Milwaukee. Last year Bucks lost 3 of 4 games 1s — their only win the Middleton OT game-winner vs. Miami — but were 15-4 in all other games. Avoiding another slow series start a good test of Bucks’ preparation. – 6:41 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Here we go. pic.twitter.com/DLKXHkVih3 – 6:40 PM

Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
KD definitely gets way less slander than any other star in the league. If Steph or Harden or Giannis or Jokic or pick any other star had that game, the takes that’d be flying… – 6:40 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
🗣 “Lose yourself in the competition of the game.” pic.twitter.com/d4zjq2t4zm – 6:36 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
#Bulls huddled up instead of the traditional “starters run out during intros” pic.twitter.com/eIrdZ0Y6Vb – 6:36 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks-Bulls. Game 1. pic.twitter.com/3EP5SoXWPq – 6:36 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
It’s time for Bucks Basketball!! pic.twitter.com/FrQ3PPfsVr – 6:35 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Tonight’s anthem singer in Milwaukee optioned up more in three minutes than Aaron Tveit in an entire Broadway season – 6:35 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
DeMar is READY #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/Dr0WYPAEdb – 6:33 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
👀🔴 – 6:30 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
#BullsNation rolling deep in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/KZ6Lin9pjO – 6:24 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Over the last four seasons, no team is averaging more points per game than Milwaukee’s 118. pic.twitter.com/4dKSwPRwDD – 6:21 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Let’s get it, Deebo #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/Ky4jYHND3R – 6:19 PM

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Bucks-Bulls game is like taking the stage after The Beatles. – 6:19 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic #NBA MVP finalists.
FYI: Devin Booker was in my Top 3. #Suns pic.twitter.com/eDaZMdCOok – 6:18 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls met with cheers and jeers……Bulls Nation is here…make NO mistake about it—the @Chicago Bulls brand is strong, vibrant and passionate – 6:18 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
No Giannis for DPOY? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/o9xzxSCliD – 6:17 PM

JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Poll: Who wins the Bulls-Bucks series? – 6:17 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid is officially an MVP finalist along with Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. – 6:16 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
The MVP finalists are Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo #Sixers – 6:15 PM

Krishna Narsu @knarsu3
From that game to the inevitable slaughter of the Bulls lol – 6:13 PM

Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Needless to say, I think Milwaukee chose correctly last Sunday – 6:11 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
And think: The winner of this bloodbath gets Giannis – 6:10 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Moments away from Playoff Bulls.
@betwayusa | #GetItLocked pic.twitter.com/fbljK1krfe – 6:10 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
‘Member a few weeks ago … Bulls fans wanted to play Boston … pic.twitter.com/GZAoUO8pmi – 6:10 PM

Trey Kerby @treykerby
Nice amuse bouche for this weekend’s main course — Bucks-Bulls. – 6:09 PM

Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker misses out on being an MVP finalist behind Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He could still be in the top-5, but he’s not one of the 3 finalists – 6:09 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Caruso gets the starting nod with a minutes restriction in the high 30s. – 6:08 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Our 5 for Game 1.
🏁 @Audi pic.twitter.com/l7mClKz5kq – 6:07 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
We are 20 minutes away…pre game. Bucks game ops throwing shade at Bulls Nation here . – 6:07 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls starters: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, Williams and DeRozan
Bucks: Lopez, Middleton, Holiday, Matthews, Antetokounmpo
5:25 pre @WBBMNewsradio @670TheScore @audacy app @Chicago Bulls radio network. – 6:05 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said they would know after pregame if Jordan Nwora would be available (back soreness) — the second-year wing is not. He is inactive, along with George Hill, tonight vs. the #Bulls – 6:03 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Our Game 1 starters in Milwaukee.
@Calamos | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/LtODnMV2V6 – 6:00 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
📍 Fiserv Forum
Let the games begin. pic.twitter.com/OXewCIF53M – 5:56 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Deebo warming up in the “Mamba Day” Kobe 1 Protros.
@DeMar DeRozan | #BullsKicks pic.twitter.com/41dxvKZVGG – 5:53 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Tonight’s threads. pic.twitter.com/jNibfICUCs – 5:44 PM

Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Not sure if it’s a hostile takeover yet, but a lot of Bulls fans in the United Center North already! – 5:36 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
The best time of the season. pic.twitter.com/lpWIsEfvBc – 5:35 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Got to say thanks to the Daily Herald. This is my 110th consecutive #Bulls playoff game covered. Haven’t missed one since first round at NJ in ‘98 pic.twitter.com/EZn9cI2vwJ – 5:30 PM

NBA Math @NBA_Math
There’s still time to check out @HardwoodKnocks’ preview of Bucks vs. Bulls!
⏳ 3:15 mark
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🍎 https://t.co/ICTP1Vz7qV
✳️ https://t.co/ZLuYvY0hZj
📺 https://t.co/ZRWIj0tZx8
SUBSCRIBE
https://t.co/9QmXcb5rL7 pic.twitter.com/qmNvm0s75X – 5:28 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
It’s a towel day in Milwaukee. #Bulls pic.twitter.com/4SuV12qWwB – 5:28 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Back at home, Milwaukee shot 61% from the field, its second-highest field goal percentage of the season, and hit the 30-point mark in three of the quarters over the win against the Bulls.
🔄 @betwayusa Game Rewind pic.twitter.com/Qb2BLzcBMU – 5:20 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Let’s roll. #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/zPJ9mlM6l2 – 5:16 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Back in business tonight. pic.twitter.com/xhMKbG1v50 – 5:10 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Head Coach Billy Donovan addressing the media here in Milwaukee. ⁦@Chicago Bulls⁩ ⁦@WBBMNewsradio⁩ ⁦@670TheScore⁩ ⁦@Audacy⁩ 5:25 pre. pic.twitter.com/AXU5jEyMRm – 5:09 PM

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
MVP award ranking, per our NBA awards poll among media member
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Joel Embiid
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Devin Booker
5. Luka Doncic
6. Jayson Tatum – 5:08 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Although Alex Caruso feels better than he has in a while after ~two-week layoff, Billy Donovan says Bulls will closely monitor how he feels during games as he manages back. Trying to keep his minutes below high-30s in Game 1 – 5:07 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Alex Caruso will not be under a hard minutes restriction with thise back spasms, but Billy Donovan doesn’t want to let his minutes get into the high 30’s.
“He throws his body out there and plays incredibly hard and physical, so we’ll have to see how he responds. – 5:06 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
The finishing touches. pic.twitter.com/LKkGoKtW8e – 5:05 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Pat arriving in the Jordan 6 Carmines 🔥
@Patrick Williams | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/OkZJDOK36d – 5:00 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Sunday Best.
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/YtBzsdUqaD – 4:49 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Making his playoff debut tonight.
@Klarna | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/C0qybhHk26 – 4:49 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer was optimistic yesterday backup point guard George Hill would be ready for Game 1 vs. the #Bulls, but Budenholzer said pregame Hill will NOT be available tonight with an abdominal strain. – 4:48 PM

Julia Poe @byjuliapoe
Milwaukee’s George Hill will not play for the Bucks tonight.
Jordan Nwora remains questionable, will be a game time decision. – 4:47 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Budenholzer says George Hill will not play today vs #Bulls – 4:46 PM

KC Johnson @KCJHoop
George Hill out for Game 1 vs. Bulls, per Mike Budenholzer. – 4:46 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
George Hill out vs Bulls – 4:46 PM

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
PSA: Game 1 of Bulls-Bucks is available on NBC Sports Chicago or the MyTeams App — plus, an hour-long pregame show with @Jason1Goff, @KendallG13 and @Will_Perdue32 (4:30 pm CT) to get you ready for Bulls’ first playoff action since 2017 pic.twitter.com/e5oPr3cezC – 4:45 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
My message to Bulls Nation. Enjoy the moment. Nothing beats playoff basketball. ⁦@Chicago Bulls⁩ ⁦@WBBMNewsradio⁩ ⁦@670TheScore⁩ ⁦@Audacy⁩ 5:25 pre. Keep us company throughout the playoffs with the home team call. ⁦Fired up ! pic.twitter.com/6tg9NjsXfL – 4:39 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Spring has sprung.
📸 @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/IY0lhPbTgP – 4:33 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Trial by fire. 2 hours till tipoff. #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/lElxC8sNMV – 4:29 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
My first playoff series was the Original “#Bucks in Six.”
Then I covered, well, #BucksIn6
What’s in store for this one? pic.twitter.com/Ixgf6WRlW6 – 4:19 PM

KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Reporting for duty for career Bulls playoff game No. 143.
And sorry, deer, but I only fear deadline. pic.twitter.com/Vb0dXvEzux – 4:12 PM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Zach LaVine is very familiar with the statistic he is leading the NBA in. And the Bulls All-Star’s dubious playoff distinction ends today.
“I need to knock that off. I don’t want to see that s— anymore,” @Zach LaVine told @andscape. bit.ly/3L7wL9p #nba #NBAPlayoffs #bulls – 3:52 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
Reply with your playoff Game Day fit 👀🔴 pic.twitter.com/EzH3uNJ3vQ – 3:46 PM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Jayson Tatum got on that Giannis diet. Dude is deezed. – 3:44 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Here’s how we stack up ahead of Game 1.
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/KBM7Nmiiy5 – 3:34 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
And no disrespect to Chicago but the defending champs do have bigger goals:
3️⃣ reasons to believe the Milwaukee #Bucks will repeat as NBA champions (and three to doubt 😬) jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via ⁦@journalsentinel⁩ – 3:17 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
And when Wesley Matthews steps on the court to 🔒up w/ DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, he’ll be representing 2 former women’s players from UW-Milwaukee & Marquette who helped him get ready to chase a 🏆 with the Milwaukee #Bucks jsonline.com/story/sports/n… ✍🏽 ⁦⁦@BenSteeleMJS⁩ – 3:15 PM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
It’s Game 1 of the postseason – and the #Bucks couldn’t be more ready: The bye week made them a little nuts 🤪jsonline.com/story/sports/n… ✍🏽 ⁦⁦@Lori Nickel⁩ – 3:13 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Bulls Nation. 17-500 will be going crazy here in Milwaukee. Bulls need to set the tone early. pic.twitter.com/NcSi0mODDg – 3:03 PM

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
The Nets have won all three playoff series with the Celtics, winning 12 of the 15 games.
Among teams that have met 15+ times, that .800 win percentage is the highest any team holds over another in NBA Playoff history.
(#2 on that list is Boston vs. Chicago..the road not taken.) – 2:52 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Will the Bucks score more or less than 120 points tonight?
📊 @betwayusa – 2:36 PM

Chicago Bulls @chicagobulls
A few more hours… #SeeRed
Join our new Bulls Twitter Community, we’ll drop in extra content during tonight’s game!
twitter.com/i/communities/… – 2:32 PM

Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
📅 On this day in 1970, the @Milwaukee Bucks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had 33 points and 31 rebounds in a 101-96 win over the Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Division Finals.
He is one of only four players in NBA history to record at least 30p/30r in a playoff game. No one has done so since. pic.twitter.com/Xjzi63PLMw – 2:01 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Pregame tonight’s game with our cocktail of the game: the Fear The Deer Marg.
🍹 @Casamigos pic.twitter.com/BSeiwOeTzq – 1:33 PM

Josh Martin @LonzoWire
The Bulls are big underdogs in the first round against the defending champs. lonzowire.usatoday.com/lists/three-bu… – 1:00 PM

Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Prep work in the books! It’s playoff basketball! Not just postseason hoops, it’s @Chicago Bulls ball @WBBMNewsradio 5:25 —after Cubs @670TheScore @Audacy app We bring you passion, entertainment , social media and hoops. Always a pleasure! pic.twitter.com/qtpwMsGJl0 – 12:58 PM

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Built for this.
@BMO | #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/O0BQE5VGNa – 12:32 PM