The topsy-turvy ride of the Milwaukee Bucks continues. After starting the season with a 4-1 record, they have not won or lost back-to-back games, and following their 119-95 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Saturday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company have dropped to 8-6. They have also gone 4-5 in their last nine games.
The Bucks played the Charlotte Hornets the night before and won via overtime, 147-134, thus sparking concerns heading into the Lakers game about possible fatigue for Milwaukee players.
Antetokounmpo, however, is not one to use the schedule as an excuse.
Giannis Antetokounmpo not letting Bucks’ schedule be an excuse for loss to Los Angeles
Nov 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots a free throw during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
After the game, the nine-time All-Star made it clear that playing back-to-back games shouldn’t be an excuse for the Bucks to perform as lackadaisically on the court as they did in the meeting with the visiting Lakers, who also had just played on Friday.
“Doesn’t matter,” Antetokounmpo said about whether playing on the second night of a back-to-back affected the Bucks (h/t Eric Nehm of The Athletic).
“I think everybody that plays in the NBA knows that the back-to-back is part of the game and it’s part of the NBA season. You gotta get ready for that. You gotta prep mentally for the load over a back-to-back. You gotta exercise in the offseason, so you’re able to play back-to-backs. So it’s not an excuse,” added the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
The Bucks were outclassed by Los Angeles right from the start, with Los Angeles building a lead as big as 31 points. As a team, Milwaukee shot just 40 percent from the field. Los Angeles played with more spark, which was partly reflected by all the fouls it drew from the Bucks. The Lakers went 30-for-33 from the free-throw line, while Milwaukee was just 16-for-24 from the charity stripe.
The Bucks have a rest day on Sunday before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road this coming Monday.
Nov 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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