Giannis Antetokounmpo once again addresses rumors of future with Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo once again talks about rumors about his contentment and future with the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 18, 2025.
The Milwaukee Bucks are stumbling into a key stretch of their season.
Playing another game without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks lost to the Raptors, 111-105, on Dec. 18 at Fiserv Forum before heading out on a five-game road trip.
Antetokounmpo’s return from a calf injury is still weeks away, and the Bucks are trying not to fall too far out of the playoff picture in his absence.
Milwaukee (11-17) has dropped back-to-back games after an inspiring victory over the Boston Celtics on Dec. 11.
BOX SCORE: Raptors 111, Bucks 105
Against Toronto, it felt like the Bucks were fighting uphill for most of the game. They took their first lead at 53-52 on a 3-pointer by Ryan Rollins at the 1:35 mark of the second quarter.
Milwaukee also took a 59-57 advantage after Bobby Portis and Myles Turner hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the third quarter.
But the Raptors grabbed the lead back a minute later and didn’t relinquish it.
The Bucks were able to get within one possession in the fourth quarter when Portis nailed a triple to cut the Raptors’ lead to 91-88 with 7:34 left.
Milwaukee wouldn’t get any closer, and Jamal Shead hit the dagger 3-pointer for a 108-98 lead with just under one minute remaining.
Brandon Ingram (29 points) and Scottie Barnes (24) paced the Raptors’ offense.
“I just thought we struggled scoring the entire night,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “I didn’t think we got to a lot of next actions.
“Their switching bothered us a little bit. I thought we got stagnant tonight, and we didn’t make shots, either.”
Myles Turner aggressive in first half
Turner attempted 10 shots in the first half, making four of them. He also shot six free throws while aggressively hunting his shot.
Turner hadn’t attempted 10 shots in a game since Dec. 1 at Washington.
“I loved it,” Rivers said. “And they weren’t forced shots. Shots that came through ball movement, through getting into the paint. That’s how we have to get ’em.”
But Turner only had four shots in the second half and finished with 21 points and six rebounds.
“I had to run a play in the second half to get him a shot,” Rivers said. “I think overall, Myles, you can see him start trending (upward).”
Kevin Porter Jr. has up-an-down game
Rivers moved Ryan Rollins to a reserve role to bolster the bench units.
The Bucks were without Kyle Kuzma (illness), but also got AJ Green back from a shoulder injury. Green was rusty after missing three games and had five points in 24 minutes.
That left Kevin Porter Jr. as the starting playmaker. He had a double-double with 22 points and 13 assists, but also seven turnovers.
“I thought he was trying to win the game for us,” Rivers said. “Nothing Scoot does is selfish.
“These guys are trying. They want to win. The problem is by doing that, they did too much. Scoot tried to do too much and that’s what created some of the turnovers.”
Rollins had 15 points. Rivers said those roles would continue.
“It’s something we’ve talked about for a couple weeks,” Rivers said. “Especially against (Toronto) we did it because they put so much ball pressure. We wanted to split the ball-handlers to make sure we had fresh guards on the floor all the time.
“I actually liked it. Our numbers with Scoot and Ryan together have not been great.”
Rollins was OK with the switch.
“I just came off the bench,” he said. “It’s no change. It just took me a little longer to get my rhythm. I would say that’s the only difference, really.”
Bobby Portis has double-double in loss
The loss clouded a strong performance by Portis with 24 points and 12 rebounds in 39 minutes.
“I think he’s just got his rhythm, honestly,” Rivers said. “I think he’s moving better on the floor. I think we’re finding him better.
“And so it’s good. Because we need him. I thought he had a tough start to the season and you can see clearly he’s got his rhythm. We keep talking about silver linings. That might be one of them.”
The Bucks will likely need more games like that from Portis. Milwaukee only has three games at home out of its next 14.
“I just think the biggest part is pulling together,” Portis said. “Ignore the outside noise. Obviously it’s going to amplify whether we win or lose.
“Just ignore the outside noise and just stay together in the locker room. We’re all we got, for real. It’s like a cliched saying, but it is what it is. We’re all we got in this locker room. We got to pull together.”
Is Giannis playing?
No. The Bucks’ superstar is out with a right calf strain, which he suffered on Dec. 3 vs. Detroit. The game in Brooklyn will be the fifth straight he misses with injury and 11th he’s missed overall.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
2-8.
What time is the Bucks game?
It is set for tip-off at 7 p.m.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
- Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf strain)
- Kyle Kuzma, out (illness)
- AJ Green, available (left AC joint sprain)
- Cole Anthony, available (neck strain)
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green
- Forward: Jericho Sims
- Center: Myles Turner
Bucks vs. Raptors odds
Milwaukee is a 4.5-point underdog against Toronto, with the over/under set at 219.5 points per BetMGM.
