Giannis Antetokounmpo makes clear he wants to 'f---ing play' as feud erupts over injury status

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.

Giannis Antetokounmpo exploded on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, insisting that he’s healthy enough to play but the team keeps him on the bench.

Antetokounmpo was benched for the 10th straight game as the team took on the Boston Celtics. The team has said that the NBA star has been dealing with a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise. He hasn’t played since March 15, but has warmed up with the team without exhibiting any obvious signs of injury.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on Jan. 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

"I’ve never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that’s like — I’m saying it publicly — I want to f---ing play. You know what I’m saying?" he said, via The Athletic. "I don’t think I’ve seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great. There should be. I don’t know. There should be. Until we figure something out."

He insisted he was "available to play."

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed Antetokounmpo’s comments after the team’s 133-101 loss to the Celtics.

"The tough part about all this is that I’m in the middle and I have nothing to do with it," Rivers said. "Coaches don’t decide any of this. The problem with our league is the coaches are the ones sitting out front. And we have to sit here and answer this stuff. I think there are two sides to this, I will tell you that, but I don’t want to get too involved in it."