Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo makes blunt analysis on their loss against Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks saw their eight-game winning streak end with a loss to the Indiana Pacers. Head coach Doc Rivers could not get his team to take control at any point. Indiana played with intensity and won three quarters in a dominant game. Even so, Giannis Antetokounmpo had an outstanding performance. He stood out as the Bucks’ most impactful player throughout the night. However, after the game, he did not focus on his own numbers. Instead, he offered a sharp analysis of why the team’s offense fell short.

“Our offense wasn’t good…Shots did not fall. It felt like it was Game 1. Guys get, like, anxious. They kind of inch in towards the ball because they want the ball, they want to make a play, they want to get themselves involved in the game, and I don’t think it’s from bad ego…I feel like everybody’s trying to do the right thing…Everyone has the right intentions, but we just gotta be better, just having patience and just trusting. Trusting one another, trusting that the ball is going to find us, trusting that we’re going to make plays,” stated Giannis Antetokounmpo.

After the game, many analysts blamed the Bucks’ loss on the players’ egos. Giannis Antetokounmpo disagreed with that take. He said ego had nothing to do with the defeat. Still, one thing was clear throughout the game: no one stepped up to support Giannis offensively. The lack of help hurt the team at key moments. That is why the possible return of Damian Lillard matters so much. With him, Giannis would not carry the offense alone.

Doc Rivers harshly criticizes Bucks’ offense after disappointing performance

Being self-critical is often the first step toward turning things around. That’s why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments landed well with fans. Shortly after, Doc Rivers addressed the media and echoed Giannis’ tone. He admitted the offense struggled and went further by offering a brief analysis.

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket drives to the basket against Thomas Bryant #3 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in game one of the NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana

“I thought our offense was awful...We just didn’t play the way we played during this stretch (to close the season) offensively. And I thought we had a lot of missed shots, which allowed them to have a lot of breakouts. We had our mistakes defensively too — they were shooting 60 percent — but I thought, as your defense is connected to your offense, your offense is connected to your defense, and we’re not gonna beat them scoring 98 points,” confessed Doc Rivers.

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Rivers also emphasized that the Bucks need to make several adjustments to beat the Pacers in the series. “We got to get back to our spacing, trusting, playing downhill, moving the ball. If we do that, we’ll go to the line more, we will make more baskets. We’ll be able to set our defense up, and I think we’ll be better.”