MILWAUKEE — Even with the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks had a rough night Monday at Fiserv Forum. They lost 108-81 to the Boston Celtics.
Antetokounmpo had 19 points and 11 rebounds in about 25 minutes. He’s still under minutes restrictions after missing 15 games with a calf injury.
“I feel like I’ve been playing just a deficit this whole year,” said Antetokounmpo. “This is the first time that I feel like I have a little bit in my tank, that I’m not like risking anything. I’m happy that I’m here. I’m just trying to get back in the rhythm right now. Not being able to play for six weeks, the second time that I’ve actually played against contact was today. I feel like the more I’m in shape, the more I have my wind under me, the more I can be able to help my team and just be more vocal.”
For the most part, Antetokounmpo said he liked what he saw from the Bucks while he was out.
“Overall, I feel like the team has been in such a good groove,“ said Antetokounmpo. “It doesn’t matter what we did the second half of Chicago, what we did tonight, we got to get back to competing right. So, got to keep on moving the ball, finding the best shot to create an advantage for the next guy.”
In recent years, the Bucks have talked about contending for a championship. This year, they’re just trying to be a play-in team for the playoffs.
Getting routed by the Celtics when they played without Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum was another lesson in humility.
“It’s a struggle,” admitted Antetokounmpo. “I feel like the team plays its best when everybody is connected, right? When everybody’s on the same page and everybody wants the same thing. Right now, I will be honest with you. I’m just happy that I’m out there.”
Antetokounmpo said he knows it sounds strange, but especially because of the Bucks’ recent acquisitions, he’s just trying to figure out how he fits in with the team.