The NBPA issued a statement opposing the Bucks' decision to end Giannis Antetokounmpo's season-ending injury.
2026-03-25 08:17
The NBA Players Association (NBPA) issued a statement on Tuesday publicly criticizing the Milwaukee Bucks for forcing Giannis Antetokounmpo to sit out the game.
According to a report last week by ESPN's Shams Charania, Giannis Antetokounmpo has explicitly rejected the Bucks' offer to end his season prematurely. He insists on returning towards the end of the season and believes that this would not pose an additional risk of injury.
Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's firm stance, the Bucks still scheduled him to miss four consecutive games due to a left knee injury. In response, the NBA Players Association issued a statement strongly opposing this, stating: "The league's player availability policy was designed to constrain teams and ensure that All-Star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo are available when they are healthy and ready. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of anti-tanking policies depends on enforcement. As long as team owners act unchecked, the credibility of fans, broadcast partners, and the fairness of the game itself will continue to suffer. We look forward to working with the NBA to develop effective new proposals to directly address and curb tanking."
Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed 35 regular season games this season, a new career high. However, he still delivered top-tier stats in his limited playing time, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, leading his team to a 17-19 record.
When their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined, the Bucks have a record of only 12 wins and 23 losses. They currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29 wins and 42 losses, eight games behind the 10th-placed Charlotte Hornets.
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