By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks never led against the Minnesota Timberwolves, surrendering at 139-106 in Fiserv Forum.
Fans’ booing led the 31-year-old point forward to a sarcastic celebration of a tough finish.
“I thrive through adversity. I thrive when people don’t believe in me. It doesn’t matter if I’m on the road, if I’m home, if I’m at my family dinner, if I’m practicing against my teammate,” he explained in a postgame media session. “I like it though. I love it.”
“When people don’t believe in me, I don’t tend to be with them. I tend to be against them. I tend to do what I’m here to do, what I’m good at,” he added.
“I’ve never been a part of something like that before,” repeated Giannis on the Bucks being booed at home.
“I don’t think it’s fair. But everyone has their opinion, and can do what they want to do. I’m not going to tell them what to do, and how to react when we don’t play hard, when we lose games, when we’re not where we’re supposed to be. And I don’t think anyone has the right to tell me how I should act on the basketball court after I have been here for 13 years, and basically I’m the all-time leader in everything,” he furthered.
With his side reduced to 17-23 in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, Giannis logged 30:59 for 25 points on 9/13 field goals, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
“It’s going to be nights like that in the NBA. I have not been a part of many, but I understand it’s going to be times you come out flat and there’s going to be a team coming out with a lot of energy and shoot the crap out of the ball, and don’t give you any life,” he recapped the losing effort.
“It’s like being a dad. You just have to keep on being available, being consistent with your words and your actions, over, over and over again. One day, you could hope that the message will go through. When I was 15, and my dad was telling me stuff, I didn’t realize what he was talking about until I was 21-22, and then looked back and ‘Oh, that’s what he meant’. But we don’t have seven years. We are halfway through the season. It’s either now or never. So, hopefully, in the next couple of games, we can turn things around. If not, go home,” he went into the necessary team reaction.
His brother, Thanasis, lasted 7:48, tallying two points, two steals, and one rebound. In contrast, Alex remained on a G League assignment with the Wisconsin Herd.
For the Wolves, French Rudy Gobert served a one-game league suspension, and fellow key starter Anthony Edwards was ruled out for Tuesday’s game due to maintenance on his right foot. However, a sixth win over the last seven outings improved the season tally to 27-14.
Taking on an increased role with Gobert sidelined, fellow French option Joan Beringer recorded multiple NBA-highs with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal over 29:40. “It was great. And we won,” said the 19-year-old center on his extended minutes. “Giannis is like my favorite player. Also playing against him was really, really good experience. I really enjoyed it.”
Italian starter Donte DiVincenzo went for 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists over 30:09 for the team coached by Chris Finch, who returned after missing the previous game with an illness.