By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Their exchanges stirred controversy, but both Alperen Sengun and Giannis Antetokounmpo have moved on from the EuroBasket 2025, focusing on the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
“We had good competition out there. Come over here, play a good game. I’m glad we got the dub,” mentioned the 23-year-old Turkish center in a postgame media session following a clash with the Freak in Fiserv Forum on Sunday.
On September 12, Turkiye routed Greece in the EuroBasket Semifinals, before falling to Germany and settling with a silver medal. Greece and Giannis went on to capture bronze. In contrast to one-sided traffic in Riga’s Xiaomi Arena, ensuing statements created tension between Sengun and Giannis, with both players later apologizing for their actions.
“I got motivation in every game now. I want to win in every game. I want to be a winning player. I don’t care who’s on the other team,” Sengun further downplayed any kind of lasting strain in his relationship with the 30-year-old Greek point forward.
“They are a very big team. They have, in our game today, a few of the best offensive rebounders from [Clint] Capela, from Steven Adams, from [Alperen] Sengun, from [Amen] Thompson,” said Giannis, replying to a question about the Rockets grabbing 20 offensive rebounds.
Up to 6-3, the next three games of the Rockets are in Toyota Center, against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, and the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Down to 6-4, the Bucks complete a back-to-back with a game against the Dallas Mavericks in American Airlines Center on Monday.