When does Giannis Antetokounmpo return to Milwaukee?
For the first time since 2012, the Milwaukee Bucks will begin a season without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster.
Giannis made his NBA debut on October 30, 2013, and has gone on to become one of the best players in history and the best player in Bucks history.
In the offseason, after years of rumors, Milwaukee traded Giannis to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and extensive draft picks (2026, 2031, 2033 first-rounders, plus a 2030 swap and 2033 second-rounder).
This year, Giannis will head to Fiserv Forum and go to the visitors' locker room for the first time in his career.
Giannis Returns in January
The NBA schedule was released on Thursday, revealing that Giannis Antetokounmpo will return to Milwaukee on January 28. The game will air on Amazon Prime.
The Bucks have two nationally televised games all season, with the first being when they visit the Miami Heat in Giannis' first game against Milwaukee. That game takes place on November 18 and will air on ESPN.
Along with it being Giannis' first game ever against the Bucks, it will be Tyler Herro's return to Miami and the first time he and Bam Adebayo have gone head-to-head since their offseason incident, when Adebayo punched Herro.
January 28 won't be the only time Giannis plays in Milwaukee, as Miami will be back on March 12. That game won't be nationally televised.
What To Expect?
A loud ovation.
While the divorce between Giannis and Milwaukee was long and drawn out, it was relatively clean compared to how other stars have departed their teams.
Giannis has continued to show love to Milwaukee and the fans, and the fans will likely return that favor when he returns in January.
Fans are going to remember the good times when it comes to "The Greek Freak." Watching him grow from a 19-year-old coming over from Greece to one of the most dominant forces in NBA history. He put together ten All-Star seasons and two MVP campaigns, establishing himself as the best player in the world.
He led the team to the playoffs in nine of 13 seasons, bringing home a championship in 2021.
The final seasons weren't pretty as the team underachieved in the playoffs, and the last season was filled with injuries and disappointment, but that doesn't take away from the memories he brought the city.
Milwaukee will make sure Giannis feels the love on January 28.
