The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling, and former NBA player Channing Frye has a theory as to why. After their latest loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Frye voiced concerns about the team’s mentality, suggesting that they lack the belief necessary to push through adversity.
The Bucks, who have been without Damian Lillard for the past six games, are 4-8 in their last 12 outings. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Hawks, a 145-124 blowout that left Milwaukee reeling. With Lillard ruled out indefinitely due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, the Bucks have seen their once-promising season start to unravel, now sitting at 40-34 and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Frye, who was speaking on the postgame analysis of the Bucks’ performance, raised serious concerns about their energy and mindset. “It doesn’t seem like they really believe,” he said. “And I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Giannis, when you got a guy named Giannis Antetokounmpo on your team, you got a chance. To me, this is the first year… they just don’t look like they believe.”
Frye’s comments come on the heels of a frustrating stretch for Milwaukee, which has dropped four consecutive games. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31-point performance against Atlanta, the Bucks couldn’t sustain their early momentum.
Milwaukee had come out red-hot, shooting 85% in the first quarter, including a perfect 6-for-6 start from Kyle Kuzma. But the Hawks responded with an explosive second half, outscoring the Bucks 36-17 in the third quarter and building an insurmountable lead.
For Frye, the Bucks’ lack of intensity is evident in their body language when things go wrong. “When they get down, everyone’s like ‘Okay.’ And you could tell me it’s so easy to lose… It’s the great players who say, ‘Enough is enough. If ya’ll ain’t with me, I’mma do it myself,'” he added, pointing to the team’s inability to claw back once things started slipping.
The Hawks capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes, turning eight turnovers into 16 points. The Bucks’ offense faltered in the second half, shooting just 34.3% from three-point range, while Atlanta’s defense, led by rookie Zaccharie Risacher, continued to stifle them. Risacher had a career-best performance, scoring 36 points and grabbing six rebounds. His efficient shooting (12-of-21 from the field, 5-of-11 from beyond the arc) helped the Hawks secure the victory and improve to 36-38, keeping them in the thick of the playoff race.
Atlanta’s win was fueled by several key players. Trae Young controlled the tempo with 19 points and 19 assists, setting up his teammates all night. Dyson Daniels added 22 points and five steals, while Georges Niang came off the bench to contribute 17 points. The Hawks turned up the heat defensively, capitalizing on Milwaukee’s struggles, including their shooting woes and turnovers.
Despite the defeat, the Bucks did see some individual success. Kyle Kuzma had 25 points, and Kevin Porter Jr. scored 28, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hawks’ offensive onslaught.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Bucks’ challenges are mounting. With Lillard’s absence stretching into the foreseeable future, Milwaukee will need to find a way to regain their rhythm and rediscover the belief that propelled them earlier in the season. The team will have to rally around their superstar Giannis and find a way to break free from this funk if they are to make a deep playoff run.
