MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WBAY) - The NBA Players Association is accusing the Milwaukee Bucks of “tanking” their games -- losing on purpose -- by sitting All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo despite him wanting to play.
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)(Aaron Gash | AP)
A statement from the players union reads in part, “The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court.
“Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked.”
The Bucks announced last week Antetokounmpo would be out with a knee injury and gave no return date. [ESPN reports](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48297502/nbpa-rebukes-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-dispute) he suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise after landing awkwardly after a dunk against the Indiana Pacers on March 15.
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