Last week the NBA announced the All-star starters for each conference. In the east, Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell were the two starters at guard, and Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Karl Anthony-Towns were the three frontcourt starters.

On Tuesday evening, the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Portland Trail Blazers (in Oregon) by a score of 125-112. Damian Lillard finished the loss with 20 points, three rebounds, six assists and one steal while shooting 7/17 from the field and 2/6 from the three-point range in 38 minutes of playing time.

In all three matchups, Simons outplayed the man who essentially raised him on the court during their five seasons together in Rip City. Coincidence? Yes, according to Simons, who scored

Trail Blazers' Camara #33 is helped up by teammates Donovan Clingan #23 and Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers after drawing a foul during the third quarter of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Moda Center on January 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images) Getty Images

The Blazers are functionally in the same place as before the trade — hoping lottery luck can save them from mediocrity

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and guard Damian Lillard are seen during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 14, 2024. “Our chemistry has gotten better,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think, with time, we’re just going to keep on getting better.”

Unsurprisingly, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be dealing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. ESPN's Bobby Marks

Back-to-back stellar performances from Damian Lillard show the Milwaukee Bucks have enough to compete for an NBA title.

The rebuilding Trail Blazers spoiled yet another homecoming for Damian Lillard as they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 125-112.

The trade would send Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, MarJon Beauchamp, and a 2031 first-round pick (via Phoenix) to Miami and Jimmy Butler and Delon Wright to Phoenix. Butler has been linked to the Bucks as a possible trade candidate, though there's confusion about his desire to join the franchise.

Portland faces Milwaukee in out-of-conference play. The teams square off Tuesday for the first time this season.

Bucks: Points, Antetokounmpo (31.7 per game). Rebounds, Antetokounmpo (12.2). Assists, Lillard (7.3). Steals, Lillard (1.2). Blocks, Lopez (2.0). • Milwaukee comes in winners of nine of its past 12 games. The Spurs have won two of their past 10.