Kendrick Perkins, NBA champion and analyst, expressed strong skepticism about the Milwaukee Bucks’ prospects this season, even after Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from injury. Perkins weighed in ahead of the Bucks’ Monday game against the Boston Celtics, where Giannis made his first appearance since January 23.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s 19 points and 11 rebounds effort, the Bucks suffered a heavy 108-81 defeat to the surging Celtics. This outcome underscored ongoing concerns about the team’s trajectory in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Perkins’ View on Bucks’ Playoff Potential and Team Performance
During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Perkins stated that while Giannis’ return is positive, it barely improves the Bucks’ playoff chances this season. He emphasized the team’s struggles remain pronounced beyond their star’s presence on the court.
“It’s always great to see Giannis on the floor,”
Perkins said.
“The Bucks have shown us that we can’t take them to the buffet because all they’re going to do is continue to order salad.”
Perkins continued that Milwaukee faces a lack of clear direction and cohesion, which limits the impact Giannis can have during games. The Bucks have displayed inconsistency on both ends of the floor, hindering their ability to sustain momentum.
Giannis’ Return After Injury and Bucks’ Struggles on the Court
Antetokounmpo missed 15 games due to a calf strain before suiting up Monday night. Despite posting a double-double and demonstrating his usual explosive athleticism, his efforts were insufficient to keep the Bucks competitive against Boston.
Giannis is back and powers right to the rack. 💪 pic.twitter.com/JpPXiGPU4d
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 3, 2026
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed the team’s performance after the loss, expressing frustration over their inconsistency.
“I don’t care about the points. I just care about how we’re playing,”
Rivers said.
“We were playing great, and we’ve kind of lost our way, and I think it’s on both ends. I think offensively, we had a great rhythm, and we’ve done it in spurts in the last three games, but we haven’t been able to sustain it.”
Milwaukee Bucks’ Position in Playoff Race and Season Challenges
The Bucks currently hold a 26-34 record, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference and trailing 10th-place Charlotte Hornets by four wins, leaving their postseason hopes precarious. This difficult position reflects deeper problems facing the team beyond Giannis’ injury setback.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, has maintained strong personal stats when available, averaging 27.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over 31 games this season. Yet, the Bucks have struggled to close out tight games, showing slow defensive rotations and erratic offense.
The lack of depth and absence of a reliable clutch performer have been costly for Milwaukee. These ongoing issues put pressure on the Bucks to secure at least a play-in tournament spot as the season winds down.
"It's always great to see Giannis on the floor. … The Bucks have shown us that we can't take them to the buffet because all they're going to do is continue to order salad." 😅@KendrickPerkins reacts to Giannis returning from injury for the Bucks 🏀 pic.twitter.com/nLca9L9b3E
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 3, 2026
Giannis is back and powers right to the rack. 💪 pic.twitter.com/JpPXiGPU4d
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 3, 2026
