The Milwaukee Bucks appeared to be in complete control of the Eastern Conference Finals just six short days ago, but suddenly they find themselves facing elimination heading into Game 6 in Toronto on Saturday. Despite the disappointing showing they have had over the past three games, Giannis Antetokounmpo insists the Bucks are not going to pack it in.
Following Milwaukee’s 105-99 loss on Thursday night, Antetokounmpo was asked if he is concerned about his team falling into the type of skid the Boston Celtics fell into when they beat the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semis and then lost four straight. He said it’s not going to happen like that.
“We’re not gonna fold,” Giannis said, via ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “We’re the best team in the league. We’re gonna go in, give it everything we got. We can’t fold. We’re gonna come back to Milwaukee being pissed.”
The Bucks led by three at halftime of Game 5 on Thursday and had plenty of chances to win, and Giannis was asked if the loss felt different from some of the team’s other losses given the circumstances. He brushed that aside.
“I just want to win,” he said. “I think we had a chance to win it, but we didn’t. Obviously, I’m pissed. I am not gonna lie to you. We got two more games to go.”
The biggest question heading into Game 6 will be the status of Antetokounmpo’s ankle, as he left Game 5 with just over a minute left and the Bucks down four. He downplayed the injury and said he is “fine,” but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer had some troubling remarks about it after the game.
There’s no question the Bucks are in trouble, as the Raptors get to play at home in Game 6 with Kawhi Leonard coming off another huge performance. Still, the team with the best player always has a chance to win in the NBA, and Giannis has the ability to be that player any night.
