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Despite Nikola Jokic’s exceptional showing, the Milwaukee Bucks triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 121-112 at Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance, recording a double-double with 28 points and 19 rebounds, along with seven assists and one block during his 32 minutes on the court. This victory improved the Bucks’ record to 33-25 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets dropped to 38-21, even with Jokic’s impressive triple-double of 32 points, 14 rebounds, and ten assists, complemented by one steal.
In a post-game interview, Antetokounmpo commented on the collective effort required to defend against a player like Jokic. “It’s really a team approach when facing someone of his caliber. I won’t go into the specifics of our strategy, but we aimed to be as physical as we could, starting with Brook. When he got into the paint, we focused on being present, raising our hands to disrupt him, and congesting the area as much as possible. The goal was to force him into making difficult choices, as he’s one of the top playmakers in the league. We just had to keep challenging him with different looks and hope to secure the win,” he explained.
“He’s a remarkable player and constantly found ways to assist Gordon,” he added. “You must present varying challenges to him and apply physical pressure throughout the entire possession until he enters the paint or the post. You need to be tough with him and make him feel uncomfortable. We know he will still perform well, but I believe everyone did a commendable job staying focused on our game plan against him and the Nuggets.”
When asked about players returning from the Paris Olympic Games and achieving career-best seasons in the NBA, Antetokounmpo shared his perspective on how FIBA competition can ease the transition to the North American league.
“I’ve mentioned this before, but it seems to go unheard. I’m just the Greek-Nigerian kid from Greece, so perhaps people think I lack insight. However, I believe that those who play FIBA basketball generally find it easier to adapt when entering the NBA season. The spacing becomes simpler, and there are more possessions. It might even feel less physical, to be frank,” he stated.
“It’s more challenging to compete in Europe than in the NBA,” he continued, reflecting on his experience with Greece’s senior national team. “There’s greater space here, allowing for easier execution of plays. Once you’ve adjusted to that type of spacing and strategy—because the European game is slower-paced with fewer possessions—you find that coming to the NBA, it’s not that it’s easier in terms of talent; the level of skill is certainly higher, but the operational space grants you more opportunities. It’s just a different dynamic.”
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