East Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wizards, Sixers, P...

East Notes: Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wizards, Sixers, Paul George

Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure the focus stayed on the floor Tuesday night, not in the rumor mill. After leading the Bucks to a 121-111 win over the Knicks with 37 points, the two-time MVP was asked about an offseason report from ESPN that Milwaukee and New York had brief trade talks involving him. Antetokounmpo waved it off. “I don’t remember that,” he said with a smile, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “Right now, I’m here representing my team. And that’s it. We beat the Knicks. That’s all. Doesn’t really matter. What matters right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State, try to stay locked in and get two in a row. “But I didn’t read that article. I try to stay away from all that rumors and speculation and trades. It doesn’t concern me one bit.” Antetokounmpo, drafted 15th overall in 2013, has made it clear over the years that he loves Milwaukee but wants to compete for titles. The Bucks haven’t made it out of the first round in three straight postseasons, and with two guaranteed years left on his contract plus a player option, this season could shape how long he stays. Still, beating New York — a team that swept Milwaukee last year — clearly meant something. “For sure, there was a lot extra,” Antetokounmpo said. “They swept us last year. They were way better than us last year. We didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy, in my opinion. “As the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things. I try to set the tone for the team from early shootaround, remind them, ‘Last year they swept us.’ Same with the Cavs. I think the team responded in the best way.” Antetokounmpo has been dominant through four games, averaging 38.5 points over his last two and posting a +12.5 net rating when on the floor. The Bucks host the Warriors next. Bilal Coulibaly is back. The Wizards forward will make his season debut Thursday in Oklahoma City, head coach Brian Keefe told reporters, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb suffered while playing for France at EuroBasket. He missed the entire preseason and Washington’s first four games. The 21-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a rookie and started all 59 games he played last season. Washington has struggled early, and Coulibaly’s return should give them a much-needed two-way boost. The Wizards must decide by Friday whether to exercise his $9.24 million team option for 2026-27. That’s viewed as a formality. Paul George may be close to making his Sixers debut. Per NBA insider Jake Fischer on YouTube (via HoopsHype), there’s “positive momentum” toward George returning in early November after missing the first few games of the season. Philadelphia hasn’t needed him yet. The Sixers are off to a 4-0 start behind Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, who have powered one of the league’s most balanced offenses. Last season, injuries to George and Joel Embiid derailed Philadelphia’s campaign. If both are healthy, this year’s group could look like a real Eastern Conference contender again.

Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure the focus stayed on the floor Tuesday night, not in the rumor mill.

After leading the Bucks to a 121-111 win over the Knicks with 37 points, the two-time MVP was asked about an offseason report from ESPN that Milwaukee and New York had brief trade talks involving him. Antetokounmpo waved it off.

“I don’t remember that,” he said with a smile, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “Right now, I’m here representing my team. And that’s it. We beat the Knicks. That’s all. Doesn’t really matter. What matters right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State, try to stay locked in and get two in a row.

“But I didn’t read that article. I try to stay away from all that rumors and speculation and trades. It doesn’t concern me one bit.”

Antetokounmpo, drafted 15th overall in 2013, has made it clear over the years that he loves Milwaukee but wants to compete for titles.

The Bucks haven’t made it out of the first round in three straight postseasons, and with two guaranteed years left on his contract plus a player option, this season could shape how long he stays.

Still, beating New York — a team that swept Milwaukee last year — clearly meant something.

“For sure, there was a lot extra,” Antetokounmpo said. “They swept us last year. They were way better than us last year. We didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy, in my opinion.

“As the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things. I try to set the tone for the team from early shootaround, remind them, ‘Last year they swept us.’ Same with the Cavs. I think the team responded in the best way.”

Antetokounmpo has been dominant through four games, averaging 38.5 points over his last two and posting a +12.5 net rating when on the floor. The Bucks host the Warriors next.

Bilal Coulibaly is back. The Wizards forward will make his season debut Thursday in Oklahoma City, head coach Brian Keefe told reporters, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb suffered while playing for France at EuroBasket. He missed the entire preseason and Washington’s first four games.

The 21-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a rookie and started all 59 games he played last season. Washington has struggled early, and Coulibaly’s return should give them a much-needed two-way boost.

The Wizards must decide by Friday whether to exercise his $9.24 million team option for 2026-27. That’s viewed as a formality.

Paul George may be close to making his Sixers debut.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer on YouTube (via HoopsHype), there’s “positive momentum” toward George returning in early November after missing the first few games of the season.

Philadelphia hasn’t needed him yet. The Sixers are off to a 4-0 start behind Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, who have powered one of the league’s most balanced offenses.

Last season, injuries to George and Joel Embiid derailed Philadelphia’s campaign. If both are healthy, this year’s group could look like a real Eastern Conference contender again.