CHICAGO — Giannis Antetokounmpo marked his return to the court with a ferocious open-court windmill dunk with 1.9 seconds left in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 112-103 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Dec. 27, a move that immediately drew the ire of Chicago center Nikola Vucevic and guard Coby White.
The two immediately approached Antetokounmpo and began talking to him, and shortly after the whistle, both teams, coaches and security were on the court to prevent the shoving from escalating further.
December 27, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Vucevic, a 15-year veteran and former All-Star, said after the game that he wanted to know why Antetokounmpo would break the unwritten rule in a game that was already over, and White said he wanted to know that too because they had never seen Antetokounmpo be so dramatic in a clear win.
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Bulls players said Antetokounmpo didn’t say anything to them, but later in the visitors’ locker room, the Bucks star said the moment was largely symbolic for his struggling team.
When asked why he completed the dunk, Antetokounmpo gave a question.
“What, we 11th In the East? Are we 11?th in the east or 12th? eleventh? We have to keep searching for our identity,” he says matter-of-factly.
“If that’s to make it a little bit scrappy at the end, so be it. Like, we’re not champions. Why do we have to be like clock-in and respect and play fair? We’re in the fight of our lives right now. That’s real talk. I’ve been in the league 13 years. If we keep losing brothers, probably half the team won’t be here. We’re not going to make the playoffs (’11)th). Like, I really don’t care.
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“At the end of the day, I just want to stay healthy and help my team win, if that’s what it takes have What happened to them; makes everyone wake up and understand that we are fighting for our lives and we have to do it ourselves, period. “
Around the same time, Bulls players spoke in another locker room, and one can only guess at their intentions.
“I’ve never really seen him do that either,” White said. “So I really don’t know. I guess he lost character for a while.”
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As for his teammates, they naturally gathered around Antetokounmpo just like they did on the court.
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“He sets the tone, so I’m not mad at all,” linebacker Ryan Rollins said with a laugh. “Even after the fact, I loved it when everybody was trying to pressure him and our whole team came out and supported Giannis. So, I loved it, man.”
Bobby Portis Jr., a former Bull who was often cheered when he returned to the United Center and one of the Bucks’ most intense players, was booed as he walked off the court.
“I like a little confrontation,” he said with a laugh. “You know I like a little confrontation. So, we’re not going to shy away from it. I think he said he wanted to be a villain, so I guess I’m right there with him. We’re all with him. Follow his lead, man. We’re just here to get better every day and keep winning. Build confidence, develop good habits, and like I said, when you look up, you’ll be .500 and go from there.”
Vucevic insisted he didn’t care about the fact that Antetokounmpo didn’t dribble out of the timeout, but then used a bit of humor to explain the behavior.
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“Usually when the game ends, you only have a few seconds to get the ball out,” he said. “I think Giannis was angry about reports that the Bulls didn’t want to trade him, so just wanted to prove a point, that’s all.”
The 35-year-old responded with a deadpan, but back in the Bucks locker room, Antetokounmpo was again asked about his happiness with the only team he plays for after a rough start.
This was his first postgame interview with the media since November 29. He missed an opportunity in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 1 and then was injured on Dec. 3. He spoke on Dec. 18 to provide an update on his calf strain, but also addressed multiple reports that he and his representatives had discussed his immediate and long-term future with the team with Bucks management.
“I’m here,” he said in Chicago. “I’m here. Don’t ask me that question. It’s disrespectful to myself and my teammates. I wear that jersey every day. It’s disrespectful to the organization, my coaching staff, myself and everyone who worked so hard for me because I came in here and said I didn’t want to be here. Don’t ask me that question. I’m here. I’m here.”
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“I’m going to put the jersey on. As long as I’m here, I’m going to give everything I have, even in the last second of the game.”
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tensions rise after Giannis’ ferocious windmill dunk at game’s end
