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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was still angry at the organization for keeping him out of the game when he feels he could have played in the final days of the season.
Antetokounmpo has had a roller coaster ride with the Bucks over the past two seasons due to trade rumors and how the team has handled him with injury concerns. The Bucks have said he was not yet cleared to play after suffering a hyperextension of his left knee and a bone bruise when he landed awkwardly on a dunk on March 15.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo walks off the court after an NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets in Milwaukee on April 10, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP)
He hasn’t played since and Milwaukee went 4-11 with him on the bench, including the season-ending loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
“I don’t understand when they authorized me to play. I have never refused to participate in training in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. “Whoever came up with that is a lack of respect for what I have done for this team and the way I behave.
“I did what I was supposed to do. I couldn’t get on the court now. Who has that opinion? It comes from above. I thought I had control. Okay, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play. This just shows me that not only me, the players in general, don’t have control. No, I didn’t feel like I had control.”
Antetokounmpo was seen warming up with no signs of injury.
“It was exhausting for me, for sure,” Antetokounmpo said. “If it was exhausting for me, it definitely was exhausting for me and the organization.”
Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts from the sideline during the first half of an NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia on April 12, 2026. (Chris Szagola/AP)
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The Bucks could look to trade Antetokounmpo in the offseason, or he could possibly sign a four-year, $275 million extension in October.
Still, Antetokounmpo said he has not been formally offered an extension and was still too far away to think about it.
“That’s a long way off. It’s something that I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” Antetokounmpo said. “Money means nothing to me. Zero. Absolutely zero. What means anything to me is winning.”
Antetokounmpo was the centerpiece of the team’s 2021 championship and is a two-time NBA MVP award winner. If he stays with the Bucks through the 2026-27 season and beyond, the team could look drastically different.
Doc Rivers is not expected to return to the Bucks next season. Several players have options to work out next year, while others are eligible for an extension.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hugs Giannis Antetokounmpo before an NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets in Milwaukee on April 10, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP)
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Milwaukee will have numerous decisions to make this summer.
