MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis says he didn’t even hassle getting a Christmas tree for his residence this yr.
There was no want. He and his teammates are making an prolonged vacation go to to New York.
NBA gamers have change into accustomed to the chance they’ll be working away from residence on Christmas. But no crew’s ever had a vacation journey fairly just like the one the Bucks are experiencing.
“Obviously I ain’t going to be able to open no presents under my tree,” Portis stated earlier this week, mentioning the crew is leaving Friday. “They’d be sitting at the crib under the tree for five or six days after Christmas.”
The Bucks have consecutive early afternoon video games with the New York Knicks on Saturday and once more on Christmas Day earlier than visiting the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marks simply the second time an NBA crew has performed three straight street video games within the New York metro space, and the primary time that it’s coincided with Christmas.
The Washington Wizards performed at Brooklyn after which adopted it up with two video games towards the Knicks in March 2021. The Atlanta Hawks will change into the third crew to have play consecutive street video games within the Big Apple once they have back-to-back video games in Brooklyn on Feb. 29 and March 2 earlier than dealing with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 5.
PHOTOS: NBA scheduling quirk has Bucks making prolonged vacation journey to New York
After going unbeaten throughout a seasonlong, six-game homestand, the Bucks are attempting to make the very best of this uncommon journey.
“Aside from home, there’s no place like New York on Christmas, right?” Bucks guard Pat Connaughton stated. “I know a lot of people love New York on Christmas time, so we’re fortunate to be able to spend it there.”
Many of the Bucks have family members becoming a member of them.
Bucks guard Malik Beasley plans to get a man-made tree to place in his lodge suite. Rookie Andre Jackson Jr., who grew up in Amsterdam, New York, and went to Albany Academy, is hoping to slot in a visit upstate to see his grandmother. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo says his prolonged household is coming alongside.
“Everybody’s going to be there,” Antetokounmpo stated. “It’s going to be like a huge party.”
Antetokounmpo’s youthful brother, Alex Antetokounmpo of the NBA G League’s Wisconsin Herd, can be within the space enjoying a recreation towards the Long Island Nets on Dec. 27. Antetokounmpo even introduced up the opportunity of attending a Broadway present.
Another quirk on this schedule has the Bucks enjoying early afternoon video games in every of the 2 matchups with the Knicks. The midday tip-off for the Christmas Day recreation raises issues on precisely when gamers and their households can have a good time the vacation.
“We’re going to have that Christmas spirit, play the game and then come back and open presents,” Beasley stated. “I think it’s a little too early to open presents at like 7 a.m. for a (noon) game.”
Despite the bizarre size of time in New York, the Bucks cherish the chance to play on Christmas.
Portis recalled his personal childhood watching Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett every Christmas and believes it is a privilege he doesn’t take as a right. Neither does guard Damian Lillard, a seven-time all-NBA participant who has performed on Christmas simply as soon as earlier than.
“It’s a special day, it’s a special opportunity to be able to do that,” Lillard stated.
Having it in New York solely provides to that feeling.
“When I was a kid, in high school and middle school, I knew for sure on Christmas Day, as soon after you opened presents, my mom was cooking and we’re watching the NBA all day,” Beasley stated. “It’s an awesome day for NBA basketball. To play on it’s going to be superior. I’m going to observe it sooner or later with my children and say, ‘Look, Daddy played in the NBA on Christmas in Madison Square Garden.’“
