Things are getting tense in Milwaukee - and not just because of the scoreboard.
The Bucks took a tough one on the chin Wednesday night, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder by 20 in a game that felt even more lopsided than the final score. But beyond the loss itself, what really raised eyebrows was how little Giannis Antetokounmpo was involved in the offense. And when your franchise cornerstone is barely touching the ball, it’s time to ask some real questions.
Let’s start with the numbers. Giannis attempted just 11 shots all night - and he made eight of them.
That’s 19 points on 72% shooting, plus 14 rebounds and seven assists. Efficient?
Absolutely. But the low shot volume is what jumps off the page.
For context, Giannis is averaging 16.5 field goal attempts per game this season. The only other times he’s taken fewer than 11 shots?
When he left the game early due to injury.
So, what happened?
That’s the question Giannis himself was asking postgame. “I don’t understand,” he told reporters.
“Maybe because we’re young. Maybe because we’re not playing well.
Maybe because guys think it’s their turn. I really don’t get it.
I really don’t. Maybe I gotta do it more to [demand the ball].”
That quote hits hard. This isn’t just frustration talking - it’s a superstar grappling with a team that seems out of sync. And if you’re the Bucks, that should set off some alarms.
This wasn’t a random Tuesday night game in January. This was a matchup against the defending champions.
A measuring stick kind of night. And instead of leaning on their two-time MVP, the Bucks seemed to drift away from him.
That’s a head-scratcher, especially when Giannis was clearly in rhythm and facilitating well - those seven assists weren’t empty numbers. He was seeing the floor, creating for others, and still getting his own when given the chance.
But that’s the thing: the chances were few and far between.
It’s not like Giannis is the kind of player who hunts shots just to pad stats. He’s always been a willing passer, someone who plays within the flow of the offense.
But when the offense forgets to flow through him? That’s a problem.
The Bucks now sit at 18-25, a record that doesn’t reflect the talent on this roster - or the expectations that come with having a player like Antetokounmpo. And while Giannis has been vocal about his commitment to Milwaukee, nights like this only deepen the uncertainty around what the future holds.
There’s still time to turn things around. But if the Bucks want to find their footing, it starts with getting back to basics. And that means making sure Giannis isn’t just on the floor - he’s at the center of everything they do.