Warriors vs. Bucks Preview: Steph, Giannis, and a Game That Feels Like More

When: January 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area | Radio: 95.7 The Game

Dub Nation, let’s address the elephant in Chase Center: while Steph Curry is putting together one of the most efficient offensive stretches of his career, whispers about Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially donning blue and gold are getting louder than the Chase Center speakers during warmups.

The Golden State Warriors (19-18) host the Milwaukee Bucks (16-20) Wednesday night in a matchup that feels less like a regular season game and more like a preview of what could be. Trade speculation has turned this contest into must-watch TV—even if both organizations are publicly dismissing the rumors faster than Steph releases a jumper.

Bucks Momentum and Ryan Rollins’ Emergence

Milwaukee has won four of their last five games, buoyed by unexpected contributions from Ryan Rollins. Rollins torched his former team for 32 points back in October, when the Bucks stunned Golden State 120-110. This season, he’s scored in double figures in every game except the opener, proving that the Warriors may have let a valuable piece slip in the Chris Paul trade.

The Bucks’ season tells a tale of “Giannis vs. no Giannis.” They are 13-9 with the two-time MVP on the floor and just 3-11 without him. Antetokounmpo dropped 37 points on Sacramento Monday, hitting 13 of 17 shots and grabbing 11 rebounds in just 32 minutes. He’s averaging 29.3 points per game and remains one of the most devastating forces in the league when healthy.

Warriors’ Offensive Paradox

Golden State is coming off Monday’s heartbreaking 103-102 loss to the Clippers, a game defined by Curry fouling out and Kerr’s ejection. Jimmy Butler III’s missed fadeaway at the buzzer highlighted the Warriors’ central issue: they simply lack consistent scoring beyond Curry.

And yet, Curry is cooking. He’s averaging 28.7 points per game, and his gravity warps defenses in ways that still defy explanation. With Curry on the floor, Golden State boasts a top-five offensive rating of 118.5—elite territory. But when Curry sits, the team plummets to 106.3, the worst offense in the NBA. That stark contrast explains why a Curry-led team is still hovering around .500.

Stakes and What to Watch

This game kicks off a crucial homestand. The Warriors need wins to build momentum, but that requires finding secondary scoring that doesn’t disappear when Curry rests. For fans, it’s also a chance to watch Giannis dominate up close while imagining what might happen if he eventually joins Golden State.

For now, enjoy the present: two MVPs, each trying to prove they can carry their teams back to relevance. This could be a homecoming that previews a future partnership—or just another game in a season full of what-ifs. Either way, it’s must-see basketball for Warriors and NBA fans alike.