Is there anything Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t do? The recent win against the Washington Wizards helped establish a 6 game-win streak for the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis came out on top during the game with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. This was the first-ever 40-point triple-double of Giannis’s career. It tied him with Kareem-Abdul Jabbar for being the only player in franchise history to achieve this feat. Damian Lillard recorded a double-double as well. Despite these performances, however, Doc Rivers was not in the mood to celebrate.

During the post-game presser, the Bucks head coach was focused on the lapses that occurred. One particular thing that seemed to grind the head coach’s gears was the start, since “We just came out and played, and then we kind of got into the game.” Furthermore, he didn’t appreciate the defense his team put up during the 2 half, stating “One other guy should have been back there to help. We had guys, three guys down there. I don’t know what they were doing down there, taking a vacation or whatever.”

Rivers knew he had to keep the minutes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in check. If the defense wasn’t a headache enough, then restricting Giannis and Lillard added to his worries.

“Tonight we knew that…. we just had three days off. Giannis has had six days off. Plus, we have another two days off. So, we went in the game today saying, ‘We can expire minutes,’” Rivers further added. “Like it was…. that was actually discussed tonight. What we like them is in that 34-33 range for most nights. They’ve been up and down from that. When Khris comes back, clearly, that helps us lower their minutes. That’s the importance of Khris.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo had earlier developed a right patella tendinopathy. The same caused him to miss out on the recent matchup between the Bucks and the Miami Heat. According to reports, the franchise is being extra careful with Giannis’s minutes, so as to avoid a further deterioration of the injury, which in turn would cause him to miss out on quite a number of games. As a result, the Bucks placed the Greek Freak on the Injury Report for the Bucks-Wizards game, though in the ‘probable’ category.

In Giannis’ absence, Damian Lillard emerged as the star of the Bucks-Heat game. His performance was even lauded by Doc Rivers and team center Brook Lopez. However, the point guard himself had missed out on a few games due to concussion protocol. Without Giannis and Lillard, the odds for the Milwaukee Bucks significantly decrease. Therefore, Rivers may not like it. While Lillard was on the floor for 40 minutes last night, Giannis played 38.

Despite Giannis coming in with his 40-point triple-double, and even Damian Lillard pulling off a double-double with his 25 points and 10 rebounds, the head coach wasn’t satisfied.

After the initial setback, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard seem to have taken control of their team. While Doc Rivers is worried about other issues like defense, the Greek Freak is there to assure that he and the point guard can handle things together. After all, things are better between them than before.

Giannis Antetokounmpo highlights his and Damian Lillard’s growing bond: “We give one another space to open”

When Damian Lillard joined the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2023, some friction was expected. After one season, Lillard revealed the things that the duo had to work out with each other. He stated, “Me and him gotta be able to hold each other accountable. And I don’t mean yellin’ at each other all the time, just mean like I gotta be able to say somethin’ to you.” Fortunately, from the looks of it, things have improved now.

During a post-game Q&A session, a reporter asked Giannis about his current bond with Lillard. To this, the 2x MVP replied, “Time. It develops with time.” For the Greek Freak, spending more time with a teammate helps not only in a bond not only through friendship but also on a professional level. Understanding the other players’ movements and way of playing helps in the overall offensive effort.

“It’s time. I feel like we’ve…… now we’re going to our second year, playing together, and our chemistry has been incredible so far,” said Giannis. “He hits me in the pocket, if he doesn’t hit me in the pocket, that means he has an open shot. Get downhill, make another play. I think we trust one another. We definitely trust way more one another at decision making, and we give one another, you know, space to operate.”

Maintaining the bond would help to reduce some of the pressure that Doc Rivers may have put upon himself.