Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miles Turner’s comments after loss to Kings

Milwaukee Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Miles Turner chose diplomacy to protect their wallets after the finish against the Sacramento Kings. Asked about the late sequence and night full of boos, both players held him tight. As reported by X beat reporter Eric Nehm, Antetokounmpo said, “I don’t want to comment on the last game … I don’t want to get punished. Turner echoed the sentiment: “I’ll be careful about my comments. I don’t need any smoke from the league right now.”

The restraint came after a game that called for hot moves. Sacramento outlasted Milwaukee 135–133 at the Fiserv Forum, relying on a balanced offense and a big free-throw advantage. Zach LaVine dropped 31 points, DeMar DeRozan 29, and Domantas Sabonis and Dennis Schroder each added 24. The Kings shot 35 of 40 at the line, while the Bucks went 20 of 31. Despite shooting 59.8% from the field, Milwaukee couldn’t close the gap late. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, per ESPN Box Score.

Tensions rose in the second half when Russell Westbrook wrapped up Antetokounmpo on the run, causing a near-pace. Afterwards, crew chief Mitchell Erwin explained in pool report that the officials called the habitual foul because they “didn’t notice” illegal contact on the last free throw and didn’t see elements of cheering or high impact on Westbrook’s earlier play. That explanation sparked a lively debate, but also clarified why the calls stopped.

online, fans treated the Westbrook-Gianis streak as a federal case. The clips ricocheted across social feeds with arguments over flagrant thresholds and star protection. The discourse was hot enough to come up, which usually happens when a two-point play ends with elbows, throws and no whistles.

The Bucks shot the nets from the floor and still fell as Sacramento won the possession and free throw battles. Kyle Kuzma’s hot play in the fourth quarter and the play of Ryan Rollins kept Milwaukee close, but Sacramento made a timely stop and hit a free throw. LaVine and DeRozan handled the finishing duties while Sabonis controlled the glass.

So yes, the officiating dominated the postgame conversation. Antetokounmpo and Turner refused to cheer for him. For Milwaukee, those fixes start with discipline, less fumbling, stronger box-outs and a better whistle game, because when you shoot nearly 60% and still lose, the margins scream louder than any postgame commentary.