Giannis Antetokounmpo again addresses rumors of future with Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo again talks about rumors about his contentment and future with the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 18, 2025.
MEMPHIS – The Milwaukee Bucks have not won two games in a row since Oct. 28-30, and they have yet to win consecutive games on the road this season.
The Bucks started the first quarter with a bit of a cool shooting hand but found their rhythm late in taking a 35-25 lead after one. Milwaukee started 3-for-10 from behind the 3-point line but finished 6-for-13. The Bucks also scored eight points off five Grizzlies giveaways.
The Bucks (12-18) snapped an eight-game losing streak away from Fiserv Forum on Dec. 23 when they beat Indiana, and now they head to Memphis to take on a Grizzlies (14-16) team that is just 6-8 at FedExForum.
Is Giannis playing?
No. The Bucks superstar has been out since straining the soleus muscle in his right calf on Dec. 3. Antetokounmpo participated in the Bucks shootaround in Memphis on Dec. 26, which followed a three-on-three session in Indianapolis on Dec. 23.
When he spoke about his injury on Dec. 18, Antetokounmpo said he was given a four-to-six week recovery timeline.
“You see a lot of people across the league, calves, hamstrings, etc.,” Antetokounmpo said on Dec. 18. “So you just gotta be able to take care of your body because there’s so much travel, there’s so much games, the speed of the game is insane right now. So, again, I’m just going to do what I’ve been doing since Day 1. Stay locked in, but I just gotta be a little bit smarter about it. I cannot cheat the timeline anymore, like before. Just gotta be smarter.”
Antetokounmpo has played in just 17 games this season but exited two games early with injury.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
3-10
Milwaukee has beaten Golden State, Boston and Indiana without their star player.
Is Ja Morant playing?
Yes. The Grizzlies star opened the day as questionable to play vs. the Bucks with a left ankle sprain. Morant had missed the last four games with the injury, in which the Grizzlies have gone 2-2. Morant has played in just 14 games this season.
Bucks starting lineupGuards: Kevin Porter Jr., AJ GreenForwards: Bobby Portis Jr., Kyle KuzmaCenter: Myles TurnerWhat time is the Bucks game?
The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Wesley Matthews and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Bucks vs. Grizzlies odds
Memphis is a 5.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, and the over/under is set at 227.5 points per BetMGM.