Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has played well to start the 2025-26 NBA season. Without a co-star, Antetokounmpo has been doing most of the workload himself. The Greek Freak played the first three games, averaging the most points he’s ever had. The star forward has put up 36 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists on 68.3% shooting from the field.
In the first game of the year, Antetokounmpo had 37 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Bucks to a 133-120 win over the Washington Wizards. He followed it up with a 31-point and 20-rebound game to secure the team’s second win of the season. In the third game, the nine-time All-Star posted 40 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
His efforts were rewarded by being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
Albeit impressive, some question how long Giannis Antetokounmpo can sustain all the work he’s putting up. On Monday’s episode of “The Zach Lowe Show,” the NBA reporter revealed that there are insiders for the Cleveland Cavaliers who have questioned how the Bucks star can keep up his production.
“I’m just worried he’s got a lot on his plate. And I know some people within the Cavs were asking this among themselves after last night’s game.” Lowe said. “Can he possibly keep up?
“His defense is really good, super engaged, super active, the rebounding I mentioned. Can he actually do this for, forget 82, 65 or 70? Or is some fatigue, injury or something going to come, because he’s doing everything for the team.”
Antetokounmpo’s strong start to the campaign is what most experts predicted during the offseason. The Bucks released Damian Lillard over the summer, leaving the Greek star as the only player who has made an All-Star team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t think the Cavs’ defensive plans against him were something to think about
The Cavaliers tried their best to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, their efforts weren’t enough as the star forward still had 40 points and 14 rebounds. He flirted with a triple-double with nine assists, adding two steals and two blocks.
Although the Bucks lost, it showed that any kind of defensive scheme didn’t work well against Antetokounmpo. When asked about it following the game, the 6-foot-11 big man said this:
“I’ve seen it all. I’ve played with two bigs guarding me. I’ve played with guys picking me full court, wings. I’ve played with people double-teaming in the post. I’ve played with people building the wall. I’ve played with a small guard guarding me.”
It didn’t bother him how the Cavs defended him; Antetokounmpo knew that he would still have an advantage.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
