Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the Milwaukee Bucks despite being on a minutes restriction due to a calf injury. The two-time MVP expressed his frustration with the situation after his team’s 120-113 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday.
The Bucks star was limited to 31 minutes for the game, but he ended up playing 32 minutes, exceeding the team’s original plan by 40 seconds. Antetokounmpo laughed off the slight increase in playing time, pointing out that his coach tried to pull him out but couldn’t.
“If he trusted me, he should have played me 36 minutes,” Antetokounmpo said with a smile, according to Eric Nehm. “He played me 40 seconds more. He just couldn’t get me out, that’s why.”
Despite the brief extra time, the 30-year-old forward made it clear that he does not enjoy playing with minutes restrictions. “I don’t like playing with minutes restriction,” he said. He added, “I don’t know how long this is going to go for, but hopefully, I can get back to playing my regular minutes and my regular rotation, so I can get my rhythm back.”
The Bucks have been struggling with multiple injuries, including the suspension of Bobby Portis for violating league rules. The team has been fighting for better positioning in the Eastern Conference, and having a fully healthy Antetokounmpo is crucial.
In Sunday’s victory over the Heat, the Bucks extended their winning streak to four games. Damian Lillard played a key role, leading the team with 28 points and 8 assists after missing the previous game due to a hamstring strain. Antetokounmpo contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, helping his team recover from a 14-point deficit to secure the win.
Miami’s Tyler Herro had a season-high 40 points and 11 assists, but his scoring wasn’t enough as the Heat struggled late in the game. Bam Adebayo added 24 points, and Andrew Wiggins scored 20 for Miami.
The Bucks showed resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Heat 35-20, including an 11-4 run to finish the game. Brook Lopez contributed 17 points, while Kyle Kuzma and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 16. Off the bench, Kevin Porter Jr. added 11 points, including a crucial seven-point burst that sparked Milwaukee’s comeback.
The Heat struggled with their shooting from deep, finishing the game shooting just 29% from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Bucks made 14 three-pointers and shot 51.2% from the field.
With this win, the Bucks improved to 32-24, securing the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat dropped to 26-29 and remain in the eighth position.
