Bucks’ Antetokounmpo Declares Game 3 a ‘Life or Death’ Situation

Milwaukee, WI — Following a tough 123-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo addressed reporters at a press conference on April 25, 2025. The Bucks find themselves in a precarious position, down 0-2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Antetokounmpo, who played a pivotal role with a remarkable performance of 34 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists, acknowledged the team’s struggles. “It’s not something that you have to panic, but also it’s not something that you have to be loose. It’s life or death. It’s life or death. That’s how it is for me,” he stated, expressing the seriousness of the situation.

As the Bucks prepare for Game 3 at Fiserv Forum, Antetokounmpo emphasized his focus on the next game. “My mindset right now is Game 3. I know the f—ing deal, man. I know the deal. I know what I gotta do,” he said firmly.

Despite Antetokounmpo’s impressive averages of 35 points and 15 rebounds in the series so far, the Bucks face significant challenges. The team has struggled defensively against the Pacers, who have capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes, netting a 121.8 offensive rating.

Former Bucks player Bobby Portis contributed a strong performance in Game 2, scoring 28 points, but the team committed 16 turnovers, raising concerns over its execution. “We need to take care of the ball better,” Antetokounmpo noted, hinting at the necessity for improvement.

Head coach Rivers commented on the defensive adjustments the team has attempted, including increasing their ball-screen switching rate. However, the execution has not been consistent, leading to criticisms of game plan mistakes. “No middle drives, that’s killing us,” Rivers added, identifying gaps in their defense that the Pacers exploited.

Looking ahead, Game 3 on Friday night is a crucial must-win for the Bucks. Historically, teams that win the first three games of a best-of-seven series have never lost, putting additional pressure on the Bucks to rebound. Failure to win could lead to drastic changes within the organization, given the stakes involved, especially with Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee becoming a topic of discussion.

As optimism wanes amidst mounting pressure, only time will tell if the Bucks can turn their series around against the Pacers.