The Milwaukee Bucks are a little more than a month from tipping off the 2025 NBA season, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still in Milwaukee after an offseason swirling with trade speculation. Antetokounmpo stayed sharp by suiting up for Greece in EuroBasket, where Germany ultimately claimed the championship over Turkey.
In the semifinal clash with Turkey, Greece saw its hopes crumble as the opposition executed a precise plan to neutralize the ‘Greek Freak.’ Giannis finished with just 12 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and five turnovers, along with a rough plus/minus of -30. With their star limited, Greece fell hard in a 94-68 loss, erasing dreams of a shocking upset in the headline matchup.
Turkey’s victory sent Greece to the bronze medal game against Finland, where Giannis roared back with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists to lift his team in a tight win. Afterward, he hopped on Instagram Live to celebrate and fired a subtle jab at Turkey in the process.
“Take the f**king Turkey flag out of here. Take it out of here,” said the Bucks superstar in his Instagram live.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the tension against Turkey
The tension may have been fueled by recent remarks from Turkey’s Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets star, who argued that Antetokounmpo isn’t an elite passer. The comment stirred up Bucks fans on social media, and it seems Antetokounmpo himself didn’t take it lightly either.
The rivalry between Greece and Turkey has clearly reignited on the international stage, with Giannis and Sengun standing at the center. EuroBasket may not have produced another head-to-head battle, but the animosity has already spilled into the NBA, promising more clashes ahead.
It seems fair to expect that when Giannis’ Milwaukee Bucks meet Sengun’s Houston Rockets in the 2025-26 season, the matchup will feel like far more than a routine regular-season game. Both players are in their prime, and each will be eager to make a statement at the other’s cost.
Giannis’ reaction to the latest taunts from Turkish fans proves he refuses to brush off ridicule. True to his competitive nature, he stores every insult, every jeer, and every mocking flag. When the spotlight returns, the 2021 Finals MVP will step in ready to deliver a statement game.
