NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
•Subscribe to NBA League Pass NOW >
MILWAUKEE (AP)— Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks believes that his recent achievement speaks volumes about his unwavering work ethic.
In a commanding 137-107 win against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Antetokounmpo scored 32 points, bringing his career total to 20,010 and making him the 52nd player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. The only players to have surpassed the 20,000-point mark at a younger age than the 30-year-old Antetokounmpo are legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan.
“I want many people to see me as a representative for those who feel they may not possess all the advantages or talent but are nonetheless disciplined and commit to their craft each night,” Antetokounmpo stated. “Regardless of what happens, they continue to return and persist in their dedication. I aim to symbolize those individuals.”
After the Bucks picked the raw yet athletic 18-year-old from Greece as the 15th overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo redefined both his physique and his playing style.
As he embarked on his career in the NBA, Antetokounmpo sought guidance from numerous former players about achieving success at this elite level.
“They advised me that the finest players – the greats – never experience boredom,” Antetokounmpo recalled.
“The greats never get bored.” @Giannis_An34 is focused as he reaches for greater milestones after joining the 20,000-point club 🔒😤 pic.twitter.com/60HGvngN6C
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Taking this advice seriously, Antetokounmpo transformed into a two-time MVP, believing that his passion, spirit, and work ethic distinguish him from other athletes.
Antetokounmpo highlighted his postgame routine after the Bucks’ most significant win of the season while on the second night of back-to-back games. He tucked his children into bed, wrapped up his media duties, and then hit the weights, a commitment he maintains after each game.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel—whether I’m feeling good, bad, bored, or excited,” Antetokounmpo expressed. “The result of the game—whether we won or lost—is irrelevant. What matters is that I will put in the work. I won’t compromise with myself.”
This mindset has contributed to Antetokounmpo being recognized as one of the most reliable stars of his era.
As of Wednesday, he ranked second in the league in scoring (30.8), sixth in rebounding (12.1), and 23rd in assists (6.0). Last season, he made history as the first player to average 30 points while maintaining a shooting percentage of 60% or higher, and he is on track to do it again this season.
“It feels like Groundhog Day,” remarked Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “He performs at that level day in and day out. Sometimes we take it for granted when we really shouldn’t.”
It seemed fitting that Antetokounmpo achieved this milestone against Dallas, given that he began his NBA journey in Milwaukee under the coaching of Jason Kidd, who now leads the Mavericks.
The Bucks honored Antetokounmpo with a video tribute during a timeout right after he reached the 20,000-point milestone. He became the second player on Milwaukee’s roster to achieve this mark, following Damian Lillard, who accomplished the same feat last season.
20,000 points. 20,000 memories.
Keep altering the narrative, Giannis. pic.twitter.com/emriUUrzG3
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 6, 2025
Lillard noted that Antetokounmpo amassed his points in a significantly different manner than many modern scorers.
“In an era where the league emphasizes shooting three-pointers, for him to primarily score in the paint, near the rim, and at the free-throw line is remarkable,” Lillard commented. “He earns a lot of tough buckets while enduring substantial contact. That kind of gameplay requires your body to withstand it over time, which speaks volumes about him.”
The five players who scored 20,000 points younger than Antetokounmpo all eventually reached the 30,000-point milestone.
Antetokounmpo is determined to join their ranks.
“I’ll make it there, no doubt about it, 1,000%,” he affirmed. “I will achieve it. I may not know exactly how, but I will show up every single day and make it happen.”
He later clarified his stance on scoring 30,000 points.
“However, it’s not a specific goal for me,” Antetokounmpo explained. “I don’t believe that scoring 25,000, 27,000, or even 30,000 points defines your legacy. Winning matters much more when it comes to your legacy and the impact you leave behind.
“Gaining respect comes from winning, and when you walk into a room, people recognize you. I feel that as I grow older, that’s what truly matters. By acknowledgment, I don’t mean from just anyone; I mean from the greats, those who have come before me.”
