Giannis Antetokounmpo calls sidelining 'disrespectful' as Bucks' season comes to end

A report came out that the Milwaukee Bucks want to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the rest of the season. Jason McIntyre asks if the superstar should request a trade out of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo remained peeved with the organization for keeping him sidelined when he feels like he could have played in the final days of the season.

Antetokounmpo has had a roller coaster time with the Bucks over the last two seasons due to trade rumors and how the team has managed him with injury concerns. The Bucks have said that he was still not cleared to play after he suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise when he landed awkwardly on a dunk on March 15.

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo walks off the court after an NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets in Milwaukee on April 10, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP)

He hasn’t played since then and Milwaukee went 4-11 with him on the bench, including the season-ending loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

"Being cleared to play, I don’t understand. I’ve never in my life denied participation in practice," Antetokounmpo said. "Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.

"I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It comes from above. I thought I had control. OK, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play. This just shows me that not just me, players in general, don’t have no control. No, I didn’t feel like I had control."

Antetokounmpo was seen warming up with no signs of injury.

"It was draining for me, for sure," Antetokounmpo said. "If it was draining for me, it was definitely