In the wake of continuing to endure this brutal season, Giannis remains determined to push through with the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is candid enough to admit that this season is overwhelming enough for him and the Milwaukee Bucks to handle.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo
MIN: 28.94
PTS: 27.73 (63.94%)
REB: 9.52
AS: 5.39
ST: 0.97
BL: 0.67
TO: 3.21
GM: 33
As the Bucks' roller-coaster season continues with a 112-105 loss on Thursday against the Miami Heat, the Greek superstar fondly reflected on how challenging this year has been.
"It's tough. For me personally, I don't know how the team feels, but for me personally, it's a tough season," he told reporters after a 31-point performance. "I think it's been a while since, as a team, we've struggled like this—trying to make the Play-In. Are we going to make the Play-In? Are we going to try to make the Playoffs? How are we going to even make the Play-In? All those thoughts creep into our heads in the locker room, and I haven't had that in a while.
"Obviously, I don't think I've ever got hurt and missed 25, 30 games into the season. So I'm just trying to take it game by game. I'm grateful, happy that I'm out here competing, trying to play the right way. That makes me feel good. But at the same time, it's in my nature to win games."
This 2025-26 season is simply a peculiar one for Giannis and the Bucks. After recent years of being in the contending conversations and previously winning the 2021 NBA championship, they are now stuck in mediocrity.
With the latest loss against the Heat, the door to reach the Play-In Tournament continues to close slowly for Milwaukee. Their record worsened to 27-28. With 17 games left in the season, they are 6.0 games away from clinching the 10th seed of the Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo himself couldn't ask for a much more frustrating year. Marred by calf issues, the two-time MVP was significantly limited in leading the Bucks all season long. The Bucks' struggles without his presence made him the primary name in the league's trade rumor mill.
The Bucks are on the verge of playoff ineligibility for the first time in 10 years. Regardless of what will ultimately unfold for the remainder of this devastating season, Giannis stands steadfast to continue the work and improvement for Milwaukee as the rest of the roster is fully healthy to play now.
"I want to keep figuring it out, keep watching film, keep practicing, keep trusting one another, and just figure out ways to win a game," he added. "I don't care how it's going to happen—if it's ugly, pretty, beautiful, if we knock down 20 threes, or if you score 80 points in the paint. You just got to keep figuring out ways to win games.
"Now that the team is available, I feel like that gives a better chance to do that."
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.