Let’s address the elephant in Chase Center, Dub Nation. While Steph Curry is putting together one of the most efficient offensive stretches of his career, the whispers about Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially wearing blue and gold are getting louder than the Chase Center speakers during warmups.
The Warriors (19-18) welcome the Bucks (16-20) on Wednesday night in a game that feels less like a regular season matchup and more like a glimpse at what could be. Trade speculation has turned this into appointment viewing, even if both franchises are publicly dismissing the rumors faster than Steph releases his jumper.
Golden State Warriors vs Milwaukee BucksWhen: January 7th, 2026 | 7:00 PM PTTV: NBC Sports Bay AreaRadio: 95.7 The Game
Milwaukee has won four of their last five, getting unexpected contributions from Ryan Rollins, who torched his former team for 32 points back in October when the Bucks stunned Golden State 120-110. Rollins has scored in double figures in every game this season except the opener, proving the Warriors might have let go of something valuable when they shipped him to Washington in the Chris Paul trade.
The Bucks bring their own narrative of dysfunction and possibility. They’re 13-9 with Giannis and a dismal 3-11 without him. The two-time MVP dropped 37 points on Sacramento Monday night, hitting 13 of 17 shots while grabbing 11 rebounds in just 32 minutes. He’s averaging 29.3 points per game and remains one of the most devastating forces in basketball when healthy. Check out this game winner from earlier this month!
The Warriors are coming off Monday’s heartbreaking 103-102 loss to the Clippers, a game that saw both Curry foul out and Kerr get ejected. Jimmy Butler III missed a contested fadeaway at the buzzer that could have stolen victory. It was the kind of loss that exposes Golden State’s central problem: they simply don’t have enough consistent firepower beyond their aging superstar.
Here’s what makes this fascinating: Curry is absolutely cooking right now. The man is averaging 28.7 points per game. His gravity warps defenses in ways that still defy explanation after all these years. When he’s on the court, the Warriors operate at a top-five offensive rating of 118.5. That’s elite territory. But here’s the gut punch that keeps Steve Kerr up at night: when Curry sits, Golden State transforms into the league’s worst offense at 106.3. That’s not a slight dip, that’s falling off a statistical cliff. It’s the kind of number that explains why a team with Steph Curry in his prime is hovering around .500.
This game kicks off a crucial homestand for the Warriors. They desperately need to stack wins and build momentum, but doing so requires finding secondary scoring that doesn’t vanish when Curry takes a breather.As for Giannis? Warriors fans will get to watch him dominate up close while imagining what could be. Whether that’s fantasy or foreshadowing depends on how seriously Milwaukee’s front office takes their current trajectory.
For now, enjoy the present: two MVPs, both trying to prove they can still carry their teams to relevance. One homecoming that could preview a future partnership, or just another game in a season full of what-ifs.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM. Don’t sleep on this one.
