Trouble In Milwaukee? Giannis Boos Back At Bucks Fans, Flashes Thumbs Down At Home Crowd | WATCH

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 15:32 IST

Giannis Antetokounmpo booed back at Milwaukee Bucks fans after a 139-106 loss to Minnesota, expressing frustration at the rare home crowd boos.

Giannis grew tired of the boos from the home crowd and decided to dole it out back to them (X)

The Milwaukee Bucks were booed off their own floor Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t take it quietly — because he booed back.

After a flat, lifeless first half against a short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves side — who didn’t even have either Anthony Edwards or Rudy Gobert — the overwhelmed Bucks trudged into halftime down 76-45.

The response from the Fiserv Forum crowd was loud. And growing.

Thumbs Down, Message Sent

Early in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo drilled a basket — and then turned toward the stands, flashing a thumbs-down gesture.

This wasn’t aimed at opposing fans. This was personal.

Giannis later admitted he couldn’t remember a single time he’d been booed at home.

“Never… just kind of new for me," he said. “I thrive through adversity. I thrive when people don’t believe in me… it doesn’t really matter."

Then he paused.

“I like it though. I love it."

‘When I Get Booed, I Boo Back’

Pressed further, Antetokounmpo made it clear the gesture wasn’t playful.

“I was definitely booing back," he said. “When I get booed, I boo back. I’ve been doing it all season."

But then, reporters pointed out the difference — this was home.

“It does not matter," Giannis shot back.

“I play basketball for my teammates, for myself and my family. When people don’t believe in me, I don’t tend to be with them. I tend to be against them."

While Giannis insisted he wouldn’t tell fans how to behave, the frustration was obvious.

“I’ve never been a part of something like that before, and I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t."

He added pointedly, “I don’t think anybody has the right to tell me how I should act on the basketball court after I’ve been here 13 years and I’m basically the all-time leader in everything."

A Loss That Broke the Tone

This wasn’t just another defeat. It was a 139–106 demolition, so ugly that Doc Rivers pulled his starters with nine minutes left, effectively waving the white flag.

Milwaukee couldn’t defend. Couldn’t score. Couldn’t match Minnesota’s intensity at either end.

Rivers cited fatigue after a four-game road trip. Giannis, returning from a calf injury, had spent weeks setting a calm, diplomatic tone. But this loss snapped it.

And for the first time at home, Giannis heard the boos and answered them himself.

News sports nba Trouble In Milwaukee? Giannis Boos Back At Bucks Fans, Flashes Thumbs Down At Home Crowd | WATCH

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