Damian Lillard, Bucks Ripped by Fans for Loss to Grizzlies Despite Giannis’ 35 Points

Julia StumbaughFebruary 16, 2024

Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

A fourth-quarter scoring burst from Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t enough to save the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night.

The Bucks squandered a late lead earned by Antetokounmpo in a 113-110 loss to the host Memphis Grizzlies.

After heading into halftime with the score tied, the Bucks spent almost the entire second half trailing until Antetokounmpo went on a six-point run late in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee Bucks @BucksGiannis ties it.
Giannis for the lead. pic.twitter.com/5iisI4SRCV

The Grizzlies regained the lead for the final time with just under three minutes remaining, and the Bucks were not able to recover.

Antetokounmpo ended the night with a double-double of 35 points and 12 assists, while sinking 15 of his 17 shots from the field. Fans were frustrated that the star forward’s effort was not enough to will the Bucks to victory.

Bango Burner 🦌 @BangoBurner_very very sad that we need Giannis shooting 100% FG to win a game

✰ @smhgoofysthis team is literally just Giannis n friends, not even Giannis/Dame n friends anymore

Josh @pitt323Outside of Giannis and a very inconsistent Dame the Bucks are a very bad basketball team. Very bad.

Asia @InspirACEional1Giannis every single game: https://t.co/WNrpB0sPDV pic.twitter.com/9Ac2esew03

WISCODSIN @WiscodsinGiannis 15/17 for 35 and we’re losing to this version of the grizzlies. wtf man.

BPortisSzn @BPortisSznThis team outside of Giannis is embarrassing. Watched for 30 seconds and I realized why I haven’t for a month

spidah @spidahdotethThis bucks team is completely inept outside of Giannis. I feel bad for him.

John White Jr @packpackpackEmbarrassing loss for the Bucks tonight. Dame continues to shoot terribly. So many players who don’t know their roles. I feel bad for Giannis.

Fans also expressed disappointment with the connection between Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who was dealt to Milwaukee in September in a blockbuster trade meant to make the Bucks a title contender.

Lillard did not record a point after Antetokounmpo’s late scoring burst. He finished the night with 24 points on 7-for-20 shooting.

Jim Root @2ndChancePointsKinda sucks that watching a team with Giannis and Dame on it isn’t really fun at all

Ben Appley @BenAppleyBucks were 15 point favourites…. This team is not good. Horrible to watch. Giannis and Dame just take turns, they run nothing.

I’m A Skeleton @Sir_Slender_ManNevermind. I forgot Dame and Giannis have negative one synergy somehow

Coopz 🫧 @Coopz___every time i check dame’s statline this season its always like 7/20 or 8/22

Clayton @ckeller141Giannis getting let down by his teammates is a tale as old as time, apparently even if that teammate is Dame Lillard.

Metta World Pete @ElPedroBlancoGiannis is 15/17 and we’re still getting Beas, Dame, and Brook chucking garbage 3s every time up the court.

After suffering a blowout loss to the Miami Heat Wednesday, Bucks have now dropped two straight. They hold a 3-7 record in their last 10 games as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers eat away at the team’s lead in the Eastern Conference standings.

Antetokounmpo, Lillard and the rest of the Milwaukee team will look to get back in the win column on the road Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.