The 1977-78 Milwaukee Bucks experienced a challenging season, finishing with a 44-38 record. Under the leadership of head coach Don Nelson, the team showed promise but struggled to maintain consistency throughout the season. Key players included Brian Winters and Marques Johnson, whose performances were crucial to the team’s offensive strategy.
Despite their efforts, the Bucks faced stiff competition in the Central Division, ultimately finishing third. Their performance secured a playoff spot, but their postseason run was short-lived. They faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs and were defeated 2-0 in the best-of-three series. This marked a disappointing end to a season that had moments of potential but ultimately fell short of expectations.
The 1977-78 season was a stepping stone for the Bucks, who would look to build on their experiences and return stronger in the subsequent seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 44-38
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 2-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 3-4
Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats for 1977-78 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Brian Winters | 80 | 20.0 | 3.1 | 4.9 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 9 | 20.4 | 3.3 | 6.4 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Marques Johnson | 80 | 19.5 | 10.6 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 9 | 24.0 | 12.4 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Dave Meyers | 80 | 14.7 | 6.7 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 9 | 12.9 | 8.2 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Junior Bridgeman | 82 | 13.6 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 9 | 10.4 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Alex English | 82 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 9 | 13.4 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Quinn Buckner | 82 | 9.3 | 3.0 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 9 | 11.2 | 3.0 | 6.9 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| John Gianelli | 82 | 8.5 | 6.2 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 9 | 7.8 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Kent Benson | 69 | 7.7 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 9 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Ernie Grunfeld | 73 | 6.9 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 7 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Lloyd Walton | 76 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 9 | 4.7 | 0.4 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Restani | 8 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Eakins | 17 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rich Laurel | 10 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Lloyd | 14 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Milwaukee Bucks in the 1978 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Phoenix Suns
In the 1978 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Phoenix Suns in the first round, a best-of-three series. The Bucks, led by the dynamic duo of Marques Johnson and Brian Winters, managed to secure a victory in the series, winning 2-0 and demonstrating their strong team chemistry and resilience. This win marked a significant achievement for the Bucks as they advanced to the next round, showcasing their potential as a formidable playoff contender.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 111-103 | |
| Apr 14, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 94-90 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 1978 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite a strong effort, the Bucks were outmatched by the Nuggets' high-powered offense, led by David Thompson, ultimately losing the series in seven games. The series was competitive, showcasing the Bucks' resilience and the emerging talent of their young roster.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 119-103 | |
| Apr 21, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 127-111 | |
| Apr 23, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 143-112 | |
| Apr 25, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 118-104 | |
| Apr 28, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 117-112 | |
| Apr 30, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 119-91 | |
| May 03, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 116-110 |
Milwaukee Bucks 1977-78 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1977-78 season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 1977 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-112 | |
| Oct 19, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 133-115 | |
| Oct 22, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 113-95 | |
| Oct 27, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 133-110 | |
| Oct 30, 1977 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-95 | |
| Nov 01, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 115-95 | |
| Nov 03, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 100-91 | |
| Nov 04, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 110-108 | |
| Nov 08, 1977 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 111-101 | |
| Nov 10, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-103 | |
| Nov 11, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 88-82 | |
| Nov 13, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 127-119 | |
| Nov 15, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-106 | |
| Nov 16, 1977 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 116-106 | |
| Nov 19, 1977 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 111-100 | |
| Nov 22, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 109-88 | |
| Nov 23, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 122-116 | |
| Nov 25, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 117-115 | |
| Nov 26, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 129-107 | |
| Nov 29, 1977 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 100-99 | |
| Nov 30, 1977 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 120-113 | |
| Dec 02, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 108-95 | |
| Dec 03, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | W 115-108 | |
| Dec 04, 1977 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 134-118 | |
| Dec 06, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-108 | |
| Dec 08, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-116 | |
| Dec 09, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 136-123 | |
| Dec 10, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 118-111 | |
| Dec 13, 1977 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 129-117 | |
| Dec 16, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | W 152-150 | |
| Dec 18, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 111-100 | |
| Dec 21, 1977 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 116-92 | |
| Dec 22, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-102 | |
| Dec 23, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 109-93 | |
| Dec 25, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 131-122 | |
| Dec 27, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 108-105 | |
| Dec 29, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 124-115 | |
| Jan 03, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 125-103 | |
| Jan 05, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 116-109 | |
| Jan 06, 1978 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-101 | |
| Jan 08, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 133-123 | |
| Jan 10, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 125-103 | |
| Jan 11, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 130-106 | |
| Jan 13, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 128-111 | |
| Jan 17, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 119-109 | |
| Jan 18, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | L 130-116 | |
| Jan 19, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 114-109 | |
| Jan 22, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 112-90 | |
| Jan 27, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 131-114 | |
| Jan 29, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-101 | |
| Jan 31, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 136-116 | |
| Feb 02, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 105-102 | |
| Feb 03, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 115-105 | |
| Feb 08, 1978 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 104-103 | |
| Feb 10, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 108-98 | |
| Feb 11, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | L 133-122 | |
| Feb 15, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 112-99 | |
| Feb 17, 1978 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 115-98 | |
| Feb 19, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-103 | |
| Feb 24, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 112-109 | |
| Feb 26, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 122-120 | |
| Feb 28, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 136-135 | |
| Mar 03, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 132-126 | |
| Mar 05, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 126-88 | |
| Mar 08, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 127-125 | |
| Mar 10, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 124-102 | |
| Mar 12, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 98-93 | |
| Mar 14, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 121-106 | |
| Mar 17, 1978 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 136-127 | |
| Mar 18, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 113-104 | |
| Mar 19, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | W 117-106 | |
| Mar 21, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 100-86 | |
| Mar 23, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-109 | |
| Mar 24, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 131-122 | |
| Mar 26, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 110-109 | |
| Mar 30, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 105-100 | |
| Mar 31, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 122-114 | |
| Apr 02, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 129-121 | |
| Apr 04, 1978 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 103-102 | |
| Apr 06, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 117-105 | |
| Apr 07, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-102 | |
| Apr 08, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | W 123-111 |