
Imago
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Imago
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
As a calf injury sidelines Giannis Antetokounmpo from playing at the All-Star weekend, the fans did not miss his presence. Be it coaching and trolling on Friday or being around his teammates on Sunday, the Greek Freak was ever-present. His support for Team World even led to the 2x MVP trolling the officials.
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Team World was not at 100%, as not only Giannis but even Shai-Gilgeous Alexander was out with an abdominal strain. In fact, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic played out just 5 minutes in the first game before being on the bench. Amid this, Team World would lose both of its games, failing to secure even one win in the round-robin tournament.
Giannis Antetokounmpo stood by his team and pointed out the apparent reason why his team lost. The Bucks superstar seemingly blamed the officials. “I gotta go talk to the referees,” said Giannis as he was mic’d up. “You know what’s going on here. You guys are US citizens, and you don’t care about the rest of the world. That’s what it is.”
While both results were not his team’s favor, the performance was right up there, which made the marquee event a must-see.
Giannis calls out the refs 💀
“You guys are US citizens and you don’t care about the rest of the world.”
(h/t @LukaUpdates)pic.twitter.com/tK4vTfsiwa
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 16, 2026
To start Sunday’s new format, Victor Wembanyama took charge after vowing to be more competitive against the first Team USA. Those sentiments were backed as he scored the World team’s first seven points against the USA Stars.
But Anthony Edwards hit a three with 14.3 seconds left to tie it at 32-32 to force overtime. Later, it would be Scottie Barnes’ effort from beyond the arc proving enough for the Stars to win 37-35.
Wemby was furious when he went back to the locker room. In their second half of the night against another US Team, the Spurs star started hot. Against Team Stripes, he made four of his first five shots and scored 11 of his team’s first 27 points to take a comfortable lead. But LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, playing in front of the home fans, had other plans.
The Klaw nailed four straight buckets while “M-V-P” chants rained down as he gave his squad a 31-29 lead with 4:51 left. LeBron James put the Stripes ahead with 31 seconds left on a putback dunk, but Wembanyama hit two free throws to tie it before Leonard’s dagger sealed the Team Stripes win 48-45.
Since Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t blame his teammates during this ordeal, he found the officials to express his frustration.
Giannis Antetokounmpo kept fans entertained throughout the weekend
On Friday night, Milwaukee Bucks superstar coached Team Giannis with his brothers Thanasis and Alex, along with Mookie Betts. For the All-Star Celebrity Game, Antetokounmpo sent former NBA center Tacko Fall into the game in the second quarter.
During that performance, the 7-foot-6 star also received some word of advice from his coach.
“Quit trying to be like Wemby, be like Shaq!” Giannis told the towering Tacko Fall. Meaning dominate the paint like Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal and not rely on jumpers from outside the paint like Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
The advice worked as Fall registered 20 points and 21 rebounds. But the former NBA center was not the only player on the team to get trolled by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek Freak was also coaching ESPN Insider Shams Charania, who did have a rough night. Charania finished with no points, rebounds, or assists and committed three turnovers, going 0-for-5 from the field. However, even before the game, Giannis had shared his verdict about the ESPN insider. In fact, he called his team unfair.
“You know, why it’s not fair? Because we have Shams on my team. He cannot hoop! But everybody else can hoop,” joked Antetokounmpo. The fun continued on Saturday, where Giannis saw his former teammate’s triumphant return on the court.
In the locker room, Antetokounmpo shared a moment with the 2026 three-point contest champion Damian Lillard. The jabs between the two were instant.
Dame stated, “Only time he’s ever gonna see it”. While Giannis posed with the trophy, he left a message for his grandkids. “I’m gonna tell me grandkids I won this.”
A 3-point contest trophy is one piece of hardware missing from Giannis’ collection, which includes Rookie of the Year, two MVPs, a Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year. But he could compete in it next year, as Lillard has already stated his intention to run it back.

