Nikola Vucevic took a subtle jab at Giannis Antetokounmpo following Milwaukee’s 112-103 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. “I’m assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bulls didn’t want to trade for him,” Vucevic said regarding the postgame scuffle sparked by Antetokounmpo’s late dunk.
Giannis returned from an eight-game absence and scored 29 points with eight rebounds in 25 minutes, helping the Bucks improve to 13-19 overall and 9-8 with him active. Milwaukee had dropped six of eight prior to the victory.
The game remained tight deep into the fourth quarter, with Milwaukee clinging to a 95-94 lead with five minutes left before an 8-0 run pushed the Bucks ahead. Ryan Rollins contributed 20 points, Bobby Portis posted 17 points and 10 rebounds, and AJ Green added key shots during the surge.
Vucevic, who scored 16 points, appeared frustrated by Milwaukee’s late-game execution. His comments hinted at lingering tension from the final moments, when Antetokounmpo received a breakaway pass and finished with a dunk that drew reactions from both benches.
Milwaukee finished 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, while Chicago shot 42 percent overall and 34 percent from beyond the arc. The Bucks’ win showcased the impact of Antetokounmpo’s presence, as the team had struggled in his absence with a 3-11 record.
The confrontation after the final buzzer did not escalate, and both teams left the floor without further incident. Giannis’ return also highlighted Milwaukee’s offensive spacing and trust in supporting players.
Chicago falls to 15-16 and will try to regroup against Minnesota on Monday, while Milwaukee heads to Charlotte, seeking to build on the momentum of Giannis’ comeback.
