The Sconi

Brook Lopez was quick to put all the Milwaukee Bucks’ concerns to rest when they recently took the floor against the Oklahoma City Thunder without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“It's kind of exciting," Lopez told SI.com before netting a team-high 25 points in the team’s 108-94 victory. "Giannis gets a chance to rest, to refill his cup and we get a chance to get better and see what it's like without him on the court and get better in that way.” 

With the two-time MVP sidelined with left knee soreness, the Bucks jumped out to a 67-53 halftime lead and never looked back in earning their ninth straight win to open the season. Grayson Allen (19 points), Jevon Carter (18), Bobby Portis (12) and Jrue Holiday (10 points, 13 assists) also all starred for the Bucks.  

The Bucks’ hot start marks the league’s best since 2015-16 season when the Golden State Warriors won 24 straight, on the way to a league record 73-win season. With Antetokounmpo back in the lineup on Nov. 7 after missing his first game of the season, Milwaukee suffered its first loss of the season, falling 117-98 to the Atlanta Hawks. 

With the Bucks having posted wins over the Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons (twice) and Minnesota Timberwolves, Antetokounmpo is leading the way, averaging 32.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.

Just as impressively, the Bucks have staged their season-opening hot streak with All-Star guard Khris Middleton in and out of the lineup, working his way back from offseason surgery for a torn ligament in his left wrist.