By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks lost their seventh straight, falling 118-109 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo back on the court after injury.
The streak started on November 15 against the Lakers and worsened after Giannis got injured on November 17 in Cleveland. The Bucks (8-12) then lost four more games without him before Friday’s defeat, marking their longest losing streak since the 2006-07 season.
Giannis gave his all to stop the streak, scoring 30 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists, but it wasn’t enough. After the game and NBA Cup elimination, he shared his thoughts.
“We had the opportunity to go to Vegas twice in a row. Not going and being able to gamble on 34 red one more time is going to be very tough for me. At the end of the day, I want to win. We’ve lost seven in a row. I don’t remember the last time I lost seven in a row,” Giannis said.
Antetokounmpo has been averaging 31.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists this season, but he insists on team work.
“If you’re so concerned about scoring the ball and that doesn’t work, now you feel like you can do nothing. It’s not a one-man show, we have to do it together. We gotta get our competitive spirit back to where it’s supposed to be. Nobody should have a personal agenda, nobody should worry about what they want for themselves. Worry only about winning, a winning mindset.”