NBPA accuses Bucks of tanking for trying to hold out Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there's a simpler explanation
By Sam Quinn
Published on March 24, 2026.
The NBA Players Association (NBPA) has accused the Milwaukee Bucks of tanking for trying to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the season due to a knee and bone bruise, a practice usually used by teams that are no longer in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, Antetkounmpi, who has played just 36 games this season, has expressed his desire to play regardless of where Milwaukee sits in the standings. The NBPA responded by blaming the league's Player Participation Policy on Milwaukee's efforts to end Anteto's season. However the team's motivation to keep him out of games is less motivation than to lose. The Bucks have a 12-23 record in games he's missed this year and are currently eight games out of a Play-For-Least spot with 11 games remaining.
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