Giannis Antetokounmpo says he “needs to be smart” after returning from 15 games with a calf strain in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 108-81 home NBA loss to the Boston Celtics.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo had a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds but was part of a team that lost its third straight game by at least 20 points, with Peyton Pritchard scoring 25 for the winners.

“I’m happy that I’m able to help my teammates in any way I can and doing what I love, which is playing basketball,” Antetokounmpo said.

“I want to come back, but I want to make sure I’m healthy. I’m not putting myself at risk.”

Looks like Giannis hasn’t missed a beat 💯

Bucks/Celtics on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/szVvxBTMxS

— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo on ‘Filling Tank’ After Injuries

The 31-year-old described himself as “a little rusty” and said Milwaukee “didn’t play well,” appearing for 25 minutes in his first appearance since Jan. 23.

“It doesn’t matter if I play 18, 20 minutes, 22, whatever,” he said. “I’m just happy I’m out there. I’m just in the mindset of not taking anything for granted.

“I think I’m under a minute ban from what I understand. I trust the coaching staff and the training staff and I’m slowly getting back into the rhythm to get to where I want to be.

“The more in shape I am and the more wind I have under me, the more I can help my team… the more you’re trying to figure out how you play with your teammates, the more you cave in and you’re not as vocal, you can’t control the game.

“Right now, I’m in that position. I’m trying to find myself, how I can fit into the team.

“A lot of people will say ‘You shouldn’t try to fit into the team. You should go out there and play’. But no, that’s the reality.

“I’m trying to figure out how to play with Scoot (Kevin Porter Jr.), Ryan (Rollins), Camo (Cam Thomas) and all these guys.

“It’s probably the first time in my career that they’ve helped me find my identity, not the other way around.”

Analysis: Giannis Antetokounmpo on injury history

Antetokounmpo missed the All-Star Game with his third injury this season. “I’ve been injured a lot,” he admitted, looking back on his 13 years in the NBA, all of which have been with the Bucks.

“My ankles are sprained. I sprained my knee. My back is hurting me. My wrist is sprained. I’m able to come back.

“When the doctor tells me two, three, four weeks, I can cut that time in half and come back. They’ve told me the last four weeks, I’m back in seven days.

“They’ve told me three weeks out, I’m back in four days. I thought it would be the same (this time). It’s not good sometimes, because it’s like a false reality. It’s not always like that.

“I’m 31 years old. I need to be able to be smarter moving forward. Things I could do in the past, maybe I can’t do now.

“I have to be more methodical with my rehab, the way I take care of my body, the way I play. I’m just stubborn.

feed it. pic.twitter.com/8XlTdWN3EO

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 3, 2026

“I have a lot of smart people around me who tell me the truth and tell me what to do. I’ve gotten to this point in life by fighting through things and listening to my gut and fighting against adversity.

“Sometimes it’s smart, sometimes it’s not smart. I’m not 24 anymore. It’s not like I’m 36 or 37. When you’re dealing with soft tissue injuries, it’s tough.

“If you’re not able to take care of your soft tissue injuries, they can linger. I feel like I’ve been playing like a loser all year.

“Imagine it’s a bank account and you’re at minus $50, I don’t know? And you come back and you’re up $10 and then all of a sudden you go back to minus 15 and you keep playing that line, which is not good.

“You just have to fill the tank and try to get as much as you can: get your nutrition right, get your weight right, get as much load as you can through practice, the weight room, being able to run on the treadmill for, I don’t know, 20, 30, 40 minutes, because when you come in and play in the game, the game doesn’t seem that hard.

“I feel like I’ve been playing at a loss all year, and this is the first time I feel like I’ve got a little bit left in the tank, that I’m not risking anything.”

Here’s a look at Antetokounmpo’s recent injuries.

Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA Stats

Antetokounmpo is one of those few players NBA History of at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game in multiple seasons.

The Greek-Nigerian has averaged at least 28 points per game for four straight seasons and is averaging 0.7 on blocks and 0.9 on steals this year.

His season-high 41 points came on November 7 against Chicago, with his best return coming in a game against the Celtics. Bucks are 15-16 when he plays and 11-18 without Antitoconumpo In this season.

When do the Milwaukee Bucks play next? NBA fixtures, schedule

This Bucks They will aim to keep their play-in tournament hopes intact when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday (Thursday at 20:30 ET / 17:30 PT / 01:30 GMT).

Milwaukee is 11th Eastern Conference And 5-5. Atlanta is ninth and 6-4.