“Getting the ball in Giannis’ hands and letting Giannis dictate action,” Doc Rivers said. Things couldn’t have started worse for the Milwaukee Bucks. They opened the season with six losses in seven games, then hit an even uglier low at 2-8. If you were checking the standings, you probably thought, “Are the Bucks seriously this bad?” It was the kind of start that had fans worried about a long, miserable, and grueling season ahead.

But basketball has a funny way of flipping the script, doesn’t it? Milwaukee didn’t just bounce back—they came roaring into form. They tore through the NBA Cup like it was their personal redemption tour, finishing as champions. Yeah, the Cavaliers handed them a rough loss, recently, but let’s not pretend that it takes away from what they’ve been doing.

But it looks like passing to Giannis won’t be a valid strategy against the Washington Wizards. The 63-year-old coach revealed that the Greek Freak is unlikely to play tonight. The two-time MVP is dealing with back spasms. Initially, the Milwaukee side had him listed as questionable, but now his chances of playing have dropped to doubtful.

Antetokounmpo is putting on a show this season, plain and simple. His numbers? Absolutely wild—32.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Oh, and let’s not forget the 61.3% shooting from the field!

It’s like he’s playing a different game than everyone else.

Even when the Bucks struggled, like in their 124-101 loss to the Cavaliers, Giannis still did his thing. In just 30 minutes, he poured in 33 points, snagged 14 rebounds, dished out three assists, and added three steals for good measure. And get this—he nailed 13 of his 22 shots and hit his only three-pointer.

Although he’s having a great season, he still isn’t satisfied.

The NBA Cup isn’t enough for Giannis Antetokounmpo

“Job’s not done.” That’s how Giannis Antetokounmpo summed it up after leading the Bucks to an NBA Cup victory in Vegas. His triple-double—26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists—was the engine behind Milwaukee’s dominant 97-81 win over the Thunder. But let’s be clear, Giannis wasn’t celebrating like it was the season’s highlight. Why? It was just another step toward something bigger.

Milwaukee didn’t just win; they overwhelmed OKC. They hit 17 threes, with Damian Lillard adding 23 points and Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each contributing 13. Their defense was a clinic, holding the Thunder to a miserable 34% from the field at the T-Mobile Arena. By the fourth quarter, after a crushing 19-5 third-quarter run, the game felt more like a formality than a contest.

Coach Doc Rivers nailed it, by saying, “It reminds us that we can beat anybody.”

That confidence didn’t come easy. A 2-8 start left the Bucks in a tough spot, but now? They’ve taken 13 of their last 16… Watching this Milwaukee team click, you can’t help but think: Are we witnessing the start of something special?

And that’s the real question, isn’t it? The NBA Cup is cool—don’t get me wrong—but can they translate this momentum into a championship run? Giannis believes so. He’s proud of his team’s progress, but his mindset says it all. If they keep this up, we might be talking about a different trophy come June.