Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged the Milwaukee Bucks fell short against the Washington Wizards, who won 114-113 at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday. “We just played too much… we got into their game,” he said, reflecting on the narrow defeat.
The two-time MVP addressed late-game rotations on Washington’s decisive play. “Myles took a step up because Khris had the advantage… CJ McCollum was wide open and we had to do a better job just rotating to him like have more urgency,” Giannis explained.
Antetokounmpo described key moments where execution broke down. “Going down the stretch, things could go downhill… I thought I was wide open, got blocked, went the other way. CJ McCollum was able to get to his spot… made it. Miss and lost the game,” he said.
He emphasized the team’s struggle to maintain focus and trust. “We didn’t play at a high level. We didn’t trust one another. We kept them in the game too much,” Giannis said.
The star discussed the challenges of balancing his limited minutes. “It’s kind of hard because I’m not in the shape I need to be… two games, 24 today, 28… I just try to make the most out of the minutes that I’m out there,” he explained.
Giannis stressed accountability and building winning habits. “Building winning habit is when you consistently do the right thing over and over again… hold one another accountable,” he said, noting the team sometimes falls back into one-on-one isolation play.
He reflected on leadership during difficult stretches. “I’m mature enough to understand that it’s part of the game… I control my attitude, my effort, my preparation. Once I go out there, some things I can’t control,” Giannis said.
The Bucks kept the game close behind Giannis’ 33 points and 15 rebounds, but turnovers and missed defensive rotations proved costly. “We play a little back and forth with them… professional scorers, they make shots, get downhill, get to the paint. We just have to do better,” he said.
Antetokounmpo concluded with a forward-looking message. “As a leader, I just got to keep myself accountable… keep moving the ball, play make more and hope that can inspire people to follow and try to do the right thing,” he said.
Washington’s victory ended Milwaukee’s attempt at a three-game winning streak, with CJ McCollum hitting the game-winner and Bub Carrington contributing six three-pointers. The Wizards shot 49 percent from three-point range and committed just 10 turnovers compared to Milwaukee’s 15.
