Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points with 10 rebounds and five assists in Milwaukee’s 120-113 defeat to the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Wednesday, but emphasized team execution over individual performance. “We didn’t trust one another. We didn’t have good shot selection. There was a time our effort and energy was good and a time was flat, and they did the complete opposite,” Giannis said.
The two-time MVP highlighted the Warriors’ cohesion. “They trust one another, kept moving the ball, make the right plays… Steph did a really good job facilitating whenever he wasn’t able to get downhill or get his shots off,” he explained.
Rebounding was a key concern for Antetokounmpo. “We just got to do a better job rebounding the ball… in the first half they had like four or five offensive rebounds for 12 second-chance points,” he said, identifying the Warriors’ extra possessions as a decisive factor.
Giannis also discussed the team’s decision-making under pressure. “If we had two consecutive bad possessions, we’ve got to come down, call the play, make sure everybody touches the play… it’s just energy. It’s contagious,” he said, stressing the importance of consistent execution.
The Bucks star addressed officiating frustrations, including a play where Draymond Green struck him in the face. “I really believe referees are human… sometimes I approach a referee and say, ‘Hey, I think you should review that.’ It doesn’t take five seconds. It doesn’t disrupt the game at all,” Giannis said, clarifying that officiating did not dictate the outcome.
He acknowledged the Warriors’ performance down the stretch. “Give props to Golden State. They played good basketball. They made some tough shots… this is what happens when you build a winning culture over the years,” Giannis noted, crediting their experience for closing out the game.
Reflecting on the Bucks’ recent form, Giannis saw progress but stressed belief and consistency. “In the last 10 games we won seven… we are closer to what we think, but we have to stay the course. We have to believe we are a good team and can play against anybody,” he said.
Milwaukee has now lost six straight at Chase Center, dating to January 8, 2020, and faces the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Giannis concluded that the focus remains on building habits for long-term success. “We are not the 2019-20 Milwaukee team… but we are a team that has a chance every single night to win a game,” he said.
