Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t spend long at the podium after the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 6 loss to the Raptors, which sent Toronto to the NBA Finals. After Antetokounmpo heard a question about playoff experience, he stood up and exited the room, which left teammate Khris Middleton to answer. Middleton seemed just as puzzled as everyone else at Antetokounmpo’s early departure.
Of course, Antetokounmpo was disappointed to have gotten eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday. But why did this question, seemingly innocuous, seem to trigger his departure? It’s not totally clear.
Antetokounmpo had plenty to be frustrated about. In the loss, he was 7-of-18 from the field and 5-of-10 from the free-throw line while putting up 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Kawhi Leonard also posterized Antetokounmpo during the fourth quarter, with a massive dunk, which may have left a bad taste in the mouth of the Bucks’ star.
It’s also possible that Antetokounmpo was particularly frustrated with the reporter, ESPN’s Malika Andrews, who asked the question. Andrews published a controversial story immediately after Game 6, and wrote on Twitter that “a Finals run in 2020 could tip the scales for Giannis to sign with Milwaukee long term.” Might that story have irked Antetokounmpo enough for him to leave the room? He didn’t stick around long enough to explain.
Regardless, Antetokounmpo’s offseason is underway, and while the sting of playoff elimination surely hurts, he will be also eligible for a supermax extension in 2020.
