Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a four-game absence due to a groin strain, posting 30 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in 28 minutes, but the Milwaukee Bucks fell 118-109 to the New York Knicks on Friday at Madison Square Garden.
After the loss, Giannis shared a mix of humor and frustration about missing the NBA Cup knockout stage: “Not going and being able to gamble on 34 red one more time, I think it’s going to be very, very tough for me. But at the end of the day, I just want to win.”
He described his mindset coming back from injury: “At the end of the day, obviously, I want to be on the court. Do I feel scared or concerned? Not really, because I know no matter what it is, I’m just going to put in the hard work and try to be better.”
Giannis detailed the moment he felt the groin strain during his return: “I felt like a pop on my groin, which when I knew, I’m like, got to get out of here. Thank God it was a mild strain from my understanding. I’m back now, I’m happy that I’m back.”
Despite the Bucks’ elimination from the tournament with a 2-2 record, Giannis emphasized focus and competitiveness: “We just got to lock in. We have Brooklyn, which they’ve been playing very well, and we have to get that one tomorrow.”
He also discussed his approach to leadership and team dynamics: “At the end of the day, you got to do the little things. Sometimes when you worry about scoring, the other things don’t add up. We have to compete, move the ball, find open threes, and create spacing. Nobody should have a personal agenda. Worry only about winning mentality, winning mindset.”
Giannis praised teammate Ryan Rollins for his growth and preparation: “This kid works extremely hard every single day. People see only what he does on the court, but I see his preparation, watching film, how he interacts with teammates and staff. It’s incredible. I’m proud of him.”
In Friday’s loss, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 37 points, while Miles McBride added 19, including two early fourth-quarter three-pointers that gave New York a 13-point cushion. Milwaukee shot 52.1% overall with 18 three-pointers but fell short despite Giannis’ strong return.
Looking ahead, Giannis and the Bucks aim to rebound in their next matchup against Brooklyn on Saturday, while the Knicks advance in the NBA Cup, having finished 3-1 in East Group C.
