Bucks vs Bulls in home opener | Don Nelson to be honored, World Series top of mind

The Milwaukee Bucks host the Chicago Bulls this afternoon in their home opener at Fiserv Forum, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. The game originally was set to start at 7 p.m. but was moved to avoid a direct conflict with the Milwaukee Brewers playing in Game 1 of the World Series.

Milwaukee (0-1) and Chicago (0-1) lost in their respective season openers on the road, with the Bucks falling to Washington and the Bulls to Toronto.

Bucks to honor Don Nelson

Former Bucks assistant and head coach Don Nelson died Aug. 9, and the organization announced Oct. 22 that it will honor the Hall of Fame innovator by having the players wear warm-up shirts that feature Nelson’s signature fish tie. Staff will wear Ralph Marlin original fish ties and special lapel pins.

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Nelson joined Larry Costello’s staff in 1976 and then took over as the head coach of the Bucks during the 1976-77 season at 36 years old. He coached in Milwaukee for 11 seasons and won two Coach of the Year awards. Nelson compiled a 540-344 (.611) record in the regular season and 42-46 mark in the postseason − which included three trips to the Eastern Conference finals.

Nelson is credited with naming and popularizing the “point forward” position in Milwaukee, first with Marques Johnson and then Paul Pressey. Later, the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo would push that concept to unforeseen levels. Antetokounmpo won his first MVP in the 2018-19 season, when new Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins was an assistant under Mike Budenholzer.

The Bucks are the second NBA team to pay tribute to Nelson. In August, Golden State announced it would wear a “Nellie” patch on its jerseys all season long. Nelson coached the Warriors for 11 seasons.

Bucks to head to World Series after game

Despite playing for Miami last season, Tyler Herro said he found time to fly up to Milwaukee on his own to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 National League Championship Series. Now with his hometown team, Herro said before the season he hoped to go to a World Series game for the first time.

“We’ll be there to celebrate a historic moment for our city, for the Brewers and the franchise,” Jenkins said. “We’re gonna show out and represent for the ‘Brew Crew.'”

He’ll get that chance tonight − along with many members of the Bucks organization − as they’ll head to American Family Field after playing the Bulls. Members of the team already had been to games during the season to throw out ceremonial first pitches or take in previous playoff games.

“It’s very fun for the state of Wisconsin and obviously Milwaukee,” Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma said. “Anytime in sports the little guy gets a chance to play for championships is huge. When I say little guys, it’s the small market. There’s a special type of pride that a city has for their small-market team.”

The Bucks already had a late flight due to the original schedule of their game against the Bulls, as they are flying to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers on Oct. 24.

What time is the Bucks game?

What time is the World Series?

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The team moved its games over-the-air this season and will be broadcast on MY24. The game also streams on the Bucks+ app. Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks will be on the call.

What channel is the World Series on?

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Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

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Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

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Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<3 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<4 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<5 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<6 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<7 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<8 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<9 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<10 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<11 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<12 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<13 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<14 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<15 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<16 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<17 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

<18 / 19

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

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Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Here’s the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster for 2026-27 season

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

All players are available for the team.

Bucks projected starting lineup

• Guards: Tyler Herro, Ryan Rollins

• Forwards: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma

• Center: Myles Turner

Forwards: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma

Bucks vs. Bulls odds

Milwaukee is a 1.5-point favorite over Chicago, with an over/under set at 239.5 points, per BetMGM.

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