The 2002–03 NBA season was the Bucks' 35th season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Bucks acquired Toni Kukoč from the Atlanta Hawks. In a year of transition, the Bucks played mediocre basketball with a 14–20 start, but then won 13 of their next 16 games. In February 2003, just before the trading deadline, the Bucks dealt three-time All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen to the Seattle SuperSonics, in exchange for 34-year-old All-Star point guard Gary Payton and Desmond Mason. The Bucks won eight of their final nine games finishing fourth in the Central Division with a 42–40 record. However, they did not make it out of the first round of the playoffs, losing 2–4 to the New Jersey Nets. Following the season, Payton signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson were both traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach George Karl was fired and Anthony Mason retired.

(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Eastern Conference First Round (Milwaukee won 3–0)

(MIL-NJN)

*Required overtime.

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