The Milwaukee Bucks are not playing good basketball. After making the NBA Playoffs in each of the past nine seasons, it seems very likely that their streak will be snapped this year. All season long, they have looked disconnected on both sides of the floor, head coach Doc Rivers has made questionable rotational and in-game decisions, and Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the subject of trade rumors.
Their 122-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night was, to be frank, expected. However, fans, and apparently Giannis himself, had hoped that the team would have showed a little more fight and cohesion. Of course, that did not happen and the two-time NBA MVP called out his own teammates after the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo calls out Milwaukee Bucks players after another blowout loss
Jan 21, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Giannis had 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in 31 minutes of play. However, he only shot the ball 11 time (he was 8/11 from the field and 3/6 from the free throw line), with Bobby Portis (14 shots) and Kyle Kuzma (12 shots) both attempting more field goals than him.
After the game, Giannis called out his entire team for poor effort and not playing together. Per ESPN:
“We’re not playing hard. We aren’t doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying 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, and it’s not going to work.”
Obviously, the 10-time All-Star is not happy with his teammates and the effort they are giving on a nightly basis. As far as chemistry, these comments will probably do little to help that. Perhaps he thought, as a team leader, he should say something. But that being said, stating what he did publicly only makes him sound disgruntled and fuels trade speculation.
The NBA trade deadline is on February 5, and it will be interesting to see which players, including Giannis, remain on the team at that point.
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