Giannis Antetokounmpo offered insight into his evolving role without Damian Lillard on the floor after the Milwaukee Bucks rallied past the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103 on Tuesday night.
Speaking postgame following his third straight triple-double, the Bucks star explained the difference between being the primary decision-maker and operating within a shared backcourt.
“When I play with Dame, the ball swings to me and I have to make a quick decision,” Antetokounmpo said. “Sometimes I get into trouble.”
The two-time MVP emphasized that with more ball control, he can dictate the pace, get to his preferred spots, and create secondary scoring opportunities.
“When I have the ball more, I get to my spots, make the extra play — assist, hockey assist, or create an advantage,” he said.
Using a vivid metaphor, Antetokounmpo described the contrast by comparing it to having unrestricted access to a cookie jar.
“It’s like having the cookie jar. When it’s yours, you take your time — watch a movie, take a nap, come back for a cookie,” he added. “But if your mom says ‘You only get one,’ you rush, and get in trouble.”
Milwaukee is currently playing without Lillard, who was ruled out indefinitely on March 25 with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.
The 34-year-old guard had been averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 36.1 minutes per game this season prior to the diagnosis.
Despite Lillard’s absence, the Bucks have found ways to stay competitive, improving to 45-34 and remaining fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Their latest win marked the franchise’s largest fourth-quarter comeback in nearly 30 years, sparked by a 23-0 run that flipped a 24-point deficit into a seven-point victory.
Antetokounmpo tallied 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists while leading the final push with key decisions as the primary initiator.
Minnesota led 95-71 with under 10 minutes remaining, but Milwaukee outscored the visitors 39-8 down the stretch.
AJ Green tied the game at 97 with a corner three, before a heated exchange involving Kevin Porter Jr., Rudy Gobert, and Gary Trent Jr. resulted in three technical fouls.
The Timberwolves briefly regained the lead on an Anthony Edwards free throw, but Porter Jr. responded with a dunk off a Bobby Portis steal that gave the Bucks the lead for good.
Porter Jr. finished with 21 points off the bench, while Portis contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in his return from suspension.
Minnesota fell to 46-33 and dropped behind a logjam of Western Conference contenders tied at 47-32.
Edwards led the Timberwolves with 25 points but committed two costly turnovers during the Bucks’ late surge.
The Timberwolves were held scoreless for nearly six minutes in the fourth quarter and were outscored 40-13 over the final 12 minutes.
DiVincenzo scored 24 for Minnesota, and Naz Reid added 17, but the offense stalled in the closing stretch, shooting 5-of-20 in the fourth.
Gobert had six points and nine rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels went 6-of-12 for 13 points in the loss.
Milwaukee shot 47.6% from the floor and generated 27 assists and eight steals, taking advantage of Minnesota’s 13 turnovers.
Green added three 3-pointers for the Bucks, and Trent Jr. helped ignite the comeback with a rare four-point play.
With three regular-season games remaining, Milwaukee remains three games behind Indiana for the fourth seed.
