The Milwaukee Bucks are navigating a difficult stretch late in the season with the playoffs already out of reach and all of the attention placed on franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo, his future, and his present within the organization.
A 133-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday marked yet another low for the Bucks, but the main talking topic was Antetokounmpo’s absence from the game.
Antetokounmpo has now missed 10 straight games, despite publicly stating that he is healthy and available to return to action.
“I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game,” Antetokounmpo said before Friday’s game. “I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available. Do I look like I’m not available? … I don’t see myself in the first 12. I don’t see myself in the starting lineup. I don’t know what game is being played right here, I just don’t wanna be a part of it.”
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
(Benny Sieu-Imagn Images)
The situation escalated as the National Basketball Association launched an investigation into the Bucks “for their handling of the player participation policy and potential inconsistent statements regarding the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Head coach Doc Riversaddressed the situation after the loss to Boston, expressing his frustration with how the situation has unfolded publicly.
“The tough part about all this is that I’m in the middle and I have nothing to do with it,” Rivers said. “Coaches don’t decide any of this. The problem with our league is the coaches are the ones sitting out front. And we have to sit here and answer this stuff.”
Rivers also pushed back against how the situation has played out in the media.
“This is a grown man’s game and it should be handled that way,” Rivers said. “I don’t like when it’s this he said, she said stuff… We need to do something about it.”
The Bucks have five games left in the schedule, starting by hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Other Sports section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.