The Milwaukee Bucks no longer resemble the championship-caliber team they once were. On Wednesday, Milwaukee suffered a 122–102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The performance once again raised concerns about the Bucks’ overall relevance and consistency on the court.
Giannis Antetokounmpo did not hide his frustration after the loss. Speaking during his postgame media availability, the Bucks superstar delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s struggles and also called out the team’s poor chemistry.
“We’re not playing hard,” Giannis said. “We’re not doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry is not there. Guys are being selfish. Guys that try to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team.
“Guys try to do it on their own. At times I feel like when we’re down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play. It’s not going to work. We just got to keep on chipping away, possess about our possession. Especially when you’re playing a team like OKC or a team like Minnesota or a team like San Antonio.”
Following the loss, Milwaukee dropped to 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 18–25 record. The Bucks are also just 2–9 in their last 11 games against teams with winning records. Despite the defeat, Giannis finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while shooting 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Admits Confusion After Another Low-Shot Night for the Bucks
A concerning trend has emerged over the last six games, which include five of the lowest shot-attempt totals of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s season. Against Oklahoma City, he took just 11 shots. After the game, Giannis admitted he was baffled by the situation.
“I truly don’t understand,” he said. “Maybe it’s cause we’re a young team, or cause we’re not playing well, or cause guys think it’s their turn. I don’t get it… I really don’t. Maybe I gotta demand the ball more.”
Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Giannis’ future in Milwaukee continues to grow. Although Antetokounmpo has recently stated that he wants to retire as a Buck, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that teams around the league believe his relationship with the franchise could eventually end in a “divorce.”
If that scenario unfolds, it may not be Milwaukee that initiates the move, as the organization fully understands Giannis’ value. Still, given his visible frustration and the team’s underwhelming performances, fans may not be shocked if the superstar ultimately decides to ask for a trade.
