Although Giannis Antetokounmpo is a genuine NBA superstar, the Milwaukee Bucks forward often still doesn’t get favorable calls in games. That can be a subjective statement, but in the eyes of Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and Milwaukee fans, Antetokounmpo is not getting enough calls.
Following Milwaukee’s thrilling 117-115 win on the road over the Indiana Pacers on Monday, Rivers touched on that subject after being asked about the status of his superstar’s knee following a collision with Pacers star forward Pascal Siakam in the fourth quarter. Rivers even revealed that one of the refs boldly admitted to him that there’s no need to call fouls since Antetokounmpo is “playing through it.”
“It’s amazing the difference of how Giannis is officiated because − even one of the refs even said, ‘Well, yeah they’re hitting his arms but he’s playing through it.’ I said, OK, it’s still a foul!” Rivers said after the Pacers game, per (h/t Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
“He’s strong enough to play through it. He’s not going to let it stop him, but it’s still a foul. I thought he got fouled so many times.”
Bucks’ Antetokounmpo having a strong individual season despite perceived lack of calls
Nov 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Despite the Pacers’ best effort to slow him down, Antetokounmpo managed to throttle Indiana with a scintillating performance. He finished the contest with 33 points on 14-for-21 shooting from the field with 13 rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes of action. Antetokounmpo capped it all off with a game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
On Tuesday, Antetokounmpo did not seem to be at his usual form, as the Bucks played the Toronto Raptors on the road in a second set of a back-to-back, but he still came away with 22 points and eight boards in a 128-100 loss.
On the season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.3 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists through seven games played.
Nov 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) controls the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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