As the Warriors merrily cruise along, winners of eight consecutive games and again lording over the basketball kingdom, Thursday night’s matchup at Oracle Arena offers fresh intrigue.

Here comes Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, launching three-point shots with abandon and threatening to become viable contenders in the East. Might the Warriors even see the Bucks again in June?

That’s seven months and a world away, but one notable Warriors player conjured a championship analogy Wednesday. Stephen Curry, asked if the Bucks have taken a step forward to become a serious contender, didn’t swat away the question. Not at all.

Rather, Curry compared these Bucks and new head coach Mike Budenholzer to the 2014-15 Warriors and then-new head coach Steve Kerr. Those Warriors quickly soared into another realm under Kerr, winning 67 games and their first NBA title in 40 years.

“Very similar to four years ago here,” Curry said of the Bucks. “A change of scenery sometimes helps. You get a little boost of energy, a little shift of focus and perspective, and that little bit of difference can unlock something.

“It’s still early, but they’re taking care of business like they should.”

Thursday’s game Who: Milwaukee (8-2) at Warriors (10-1) When: 7:30 p.m. TV/Radio: NBCSBA, TNT/95.7

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Budenholzer, a longtime San Antonio assistant who spent the previous five seasons as Atlanta’s head coach, has accelerated the pace with the once-plodding Bucks (8-2).

The Warriors (10-1) lead the NBA in scoring at 123.5 points per game — and the Bucks are next at 120. The Warriors rank third in the league in three-point shots made per game at 13.3 — and the Bucks lead the way at 15.6 (Houston is second).

So, yes, there are similarities.

Milwaukee leans on one transcendent star in Antetokounmpo, who has lifted himself in the MVP conversation at age 23. He stands 6-foot-11, plays any number of positions, has incomprehensibly long arms and is one of the few Bucks players not thriving in three-point land (2-for-21 this season).

Antetokounmpo still is averaging 25.8 points and 13.3 rebounds, making him one of three players to rank in the top 10 in both categories entering Wednesday night’s games. The others were Philadelphia center Joel Embiid and Detroit forward Blake Griffin.

More than cold numbers, Antetokounmpo leaves an indelible impression — even on two-time MVPs — with his electrifying ways.

“Some of the stuff he does,” Curry said, “your jaw drops the way he covers ground in a few strides and the way he finishes in the paint.”

The Warriors face a particular challenge without forward Draymond Green. He would have spent considerable time defending Antetokounmpo, but Green will miss Thursday night’s game after injuring his right foot and big toe Monday night against Memphis.

Kerr declined to say who would replace Green in the starting lineup, though he suggested Jordan Bell will play more than usual.

“It’ll be good for our young guys to have to go against Giannis and feel that type of presence and explosion,” Kerr said. “They’re having a phenomenal start to the season. They’re one of the best teams in the league.”

All five Bucks starters average in double figures, led by Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton (19.5 points per game). Middleton is shooting 48 percent on three-pointers; Malcolm Brogdon, Eric Bledsoe and even center Brook Lopez also make noise from long range.

The Warriors are only 4-2 against the Bucks the past three years. That includes a memorable 108-95 victory for Milwaukee in December 2015, ending Golden State’s season-opening, 24-game winning streak.

The Bucks cause trouble with their defensive length, creating turnovers and easy fast-break baskets.

“You have to be smart: If somebody is open, throw it to them and let the next guy make the play,” Kerr said. “You’re not going to get a whole lot done in the forest, with all those long arms.”

Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick