Even in defeat, the Milwaukee Bucks showed some moxie playing short-handed against the Cavaliers. Missing point guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony, plus forward Kyle Kuzma, they scrapped their way to a close contest down the stretch, clawing back from an 18-point deficit. Asked about the Bucks’ efforts postgame, Giannis gave his teammates props for battling despite the loss. It’s a blueprint for how this team has to play every night to consistently come out on top.
Bucks’ new identity in evidence vs Cavaliers
It wasn’t just last night. The Bucks’ hardnosed character showed up, too, in their game in Toronto, an ugly affair the Bucks ultimately held on to win. For the first time in years, the Bucks are marching ahead with Giannis as the roster’s only star player. No Damian Lillard. No Khris Middleton. No Jrue Holiday.
Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
To make this new identity work, they need each player on the court to tough it out every night – no plays off. That means playing tight defense, going all-out for loose balls and rebounds, keeping the pace and 3-point attempts high. Milwaukee’s efforts came up short on Sunday, but Giannis came away impressed. It won’t always be pretty, and it won’t always result in wins, but playing smart and fighting until the final bell is integral to the character of the team.
“We’re going to be a bunch of guys that play hard, that make plays, that space the floor the right way, guys that make open shots and guys that give everything every single night and make every single night a barfight,” Giannis said.
The metaphor is perfect. The lack of star power up and down the roster makes executing the game plan all the more important. It means winning the hustle plays. It means overcoming obstacles, overcoming sloppy play – no excuses. In dire need of capable point-guard play, the Bucks turned it over 18 times last night. Not good. But they also forced 17 turnovers from Cleveland, dragging them down into the mud.
Oct 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard De’Andre Hunter (12) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) defend Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Bucks would love to have multiple of Porter, Anthony, or Kuzma back on Tuesday versus the Knicks. Even if they have none of them, Giannis is done with copouts or excuses. “Good teams don’t lose two in a row,” he challenged them.
“It’s going to be a fight every, every, every night. It doesn’t matter who plays.”
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!