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Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo Drops Blunt Take Following Game 2 Loss

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 1:15 AM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks have been down 0-2 in the NBA Playoffs before. Fans may recall that they overcame an 0-2 deficit in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the highly-favorited Brooklyn Nets to win the series in seven games. Similarly, they overcame an 0-2 hole in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns to win the championship that year.

But unlike those two series, Milwaukee does not seem to have the fire and drive to overcome this deficit after dropping Game Two against the Indiana Pacers 123-115. While they cut the lead, which had been as great as 14, to two points late in the fourth quarter, the Bucks simply could not defend or score well enough when it mattered the most.

The Milwaukee Bucks Were Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis

Game Two saw nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard make his return to the court following his unprecedented recovery from a blood clot that was found in his calf. Such conditions usually take months to heal, but Lillard was able to return to the team after just four weeks.

He scored 14 points and dished out seven assists in his return while shooting 4-13 from the field (2-8 from three) and 4-5 from the free throw line.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, though, had himself another monster game. Despite the loss, the Greek Freak put up 34 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 14-20 from the floor and 6-10 from the line.

Bobby Portis also had a strong game off the bench, racking up 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Unfortunately, the rest of the team failed to match their production and intensity.

Brook Lopez and Taurean Prince, who started the game, played 16 and 19 minutes respectively. Between the two of them, they grabbed one single rebound. Kyle Kuzma was better than he was in Game One when he had an historically bad stat line of 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists, but failed to make much of an impact with his 12 points and three rebounds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Does Not Think the Milwaukee Bucks Should Panic, but Has Words of Caution

According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Milwaukee’s superstar power forward, who has long been the subject of trade speculation, is not panicked about the Bucks’ 0-2 deficit in the first round this year. That being said, he does believe his team needs to start treating these games the way he treats them: like his life depends on the outcome.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, on being down 0-2:

“It’s not something that you have to panic, but also it’s not something that you have to be loose. It’s life or death. It’s life or death. That’s how it is for me.”

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 23, 2025

Indeed, it plain to see, when watching the game, that Giannis sets the tone for the Bucks on both ends of the floor. The problem, however, is that very few of his teammates appear to be willing or able to match that tone.

Milwaukee will need everyone who plays to find that kind of intensity and drive, or else their run in the NBA Playoffs will, once again, end far too early.