Giannis Urges Bucks to Revive ‘Winning Mindset’ After 7th Loss

UPDATE: Giannis Antetokounmpo is calling for a major shift in mindset as the Milwaukee Bucks faced their seventh consecutive loss, falling 118-109 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 17, 2023. This alarming losing streak marks the first time since March 2014 that the Bucks have lost this many games in a row, a stark contrast from their usual competitive form.

Despite Antetokounmpo’s impressive return, scoring 30 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists in just 28 minutes, the Bucks were unable to clinch a victory. Now sitting at 8-12 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, the pressure is mounting on the team to turn their season around.

“Nobody should have a personal agenda. Worry only about winning mentality,” Antetokounmpo passionately stated after the game. His words reflect the urgency for the team to refocus and collaborate effectively, emphasizing the need to abandon individual ambitions in favor of collective success.

The Bucks’ struggles have been compounded by injuries, including Antetokounmpo’s own groin strain which sidelined him for four games. He acknowledged the impact of these challenges but maintained that the team must prioritize their overall performance. “You cannot worry about one shot or two shots that you miss… We got to get back to that mindset,” he urged.

Coach Doc Rivers echoed Antetokounmpo’s sentiments, highlighting the need for improvement in critical areas such as offensive rebounding and reducing turnovers. “It’s a numbers game, and we have to win that game,” Rivers explained. The Bucks faced a significant deficit in shot attempts and free throws against the Knicks, with 13 fewer shots and 8 fewer free throws, highlighting their struggles on both ends of the court.

As the Bucks prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets in a back-to-back matchup tomorrow, Antetokounmpo is optimistic about increasing his playing time and making a greater impact. “Tomorrow I will play more minutes and I’m going to try to help the team win,” he confirmed.

With the clock ticking on their playoff hopes, the Bucks must heed Antetokounmpo’s call for a renewed commitment to teamwork and winning mentality. Fans across Milwaukee and the NBA community are watching closely as the team seeks to snap this troubling streak.