2018–19 Milwaukee Bucks season
The 2018–19 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 51st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association. The Bucks moved from the Bradley Center to the new Fiserv Forum before the start of the season. On May 17, 2018, the Bucks hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach. The Bucks opened the season with seven straight wins, the first time they started a season 7–0 since 1971–72. On March 1, 2019, with a 131–120 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bucks became the first team to secure a playoff berth in the season. Later on, The Bucks clinched their first Division Championship since 2000-01. They then clinched the best record in the NBA with a win against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 4, 2019, achieving the feat for the first time since 1973–74. Eventually, the Bucks finished the regular season with a 60–22 record, the franchise's first 60-win season since 1980–81. The Bucks finished 33–8 at home, the second-best home record in the NBA, behind the Denver Nuggets, and their 27–14 road record was the best in the league, tied with the Golden State Warriors. The Bucks also won all 14 of their season series against Eastern Conference opponents, and lost back-to-back games just once, resulting in their longest losing streak for the season, at two games.
In the playoffs, the Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons in the First Round by a four-game sweep, winning their first playoff series since 2001. The Bucks then defeated the Boston Celtics in the Semifinals in five games, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001, where they faced the Toronto Raptors and lost to the eventual NBA Champion in six games, despite taking the first two.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was named league MVP after this season and he and Khris Middleton were voted to play in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. Also, following the season Malcolm Brogdon, who won Rookie of the Year in 2017, left the team in free agency for the Indiana Pacers after just three years with the Bucks.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 17 | Donte DiVincenzo | SG | Villanova |
Roster
Standings
Division
Conference
Game log
Preseason
Regular season
Playoffs
Player statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
Transactions
Overview
Trades
| December 7, 2018 | To Milwaukee Bucks George Hill Jason Smith Protected 2021 second round pick Cash considerations | To Cleveland Cavaliers Matthew Dellavedova John Henson 2021 first round pick 2021 second round pick 2022 second round pick | To Washington Wizards Sam Dekker |
| February 7, 2019 | To Milwaukee Bucks Nikola Mirotić | To New Orleans Pelicans Jason Smith Stanley Johnson 2019 protected second round pick Two 2020 second round picks 2021 second round pick | To Detroit Pistons Thon Maker |
Free agency
Re-signed
Additions
Subtractions
Awards
- Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA MVP