By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo flirted with a triple-double on Saturday, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a much-needed 113-99 victory over the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. The win pushed the team record to 27-35, snapping a disappointing four-game losing streak during the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
The Greek superstar was highly efficient despite being limited to just 27 minutes as the team manages his workload following his recent injury recovery. Antetokounmpo registered 27 points, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 9-of-15 from the free-throw line. His versatile stat line also included nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, proving his immense impact on both ends of the floor.
“Some days it’s gonna be ugly wins, like tonight, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a win. I go home, enjoy my kids, tomorrow we have another one,” the Greek Freak noted during his postgame interview, looking ahead to a Sunday home matchup against the Orlando Magic. “I’m happy. But, we gotta keep on trying to do the right thing. And the more you try to do the right thing, the basketball gods try to reward you. And that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”
Supporting the effort, fellow European starter Ousmane Dieng of France contributed 11 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds for head coach Doc Rivers. While Giannis starred, his brother Thanasis did not see playing time, and his other brother, Alex, remained on assignment with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League.
The Jazz struggled with a depleted roster. Finnish star Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement) and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Jusuf Nurkic (nose injury recovery) remained on the injury list. Additionally, Ukrainian guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk did not feature in Will Hardy’s rotation.