The Milwaukee Bucks have fallen into a hole they haven't seen in over a decade, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is calling on his team to find its competitive spirit again, while pointing to an unlikely source of hope.

Seven Straight Losses and Counting

Milwaukee's 118-109 loss to the New York Knicks (12-6) on Friday night at Madison Square Garden extended the Bucks' losing streak to seven games, their longest since March 2014 during Antetokounmpo's rookie season when the team finished 15-67.

The defeat dropped Milwaukee to 8-12 on the year and eliminated them from the NBA Cup after advancing to the tournament's knockout rounds in each of the first two years.

Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup after missing four games with a left adductor strain and looked every bit like his MVP self, finishing with 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting along with 15 rebounds and eight assists in just 28 minutes of action.

Despite his dominant individual performance, it wasn't enough to snap the skid, and the two-time MVP delivered an impassioned message to his teammates afterward about what needs to change.

Giannis Praises Rollins' Historic Development

Despite the tough loss, Antetokounmpo took time after the game to highlight the remarkable development of third-year guard Ryan Rollins, calling the 23-year-old's growth unlike anything he's witnessed in his lengthy NBA career.

"I've been in the NBA 13 years. I've had 200-300 teammates," Antetokounmpo said. "A jump for a guy that came two years ago to a two-way contract, non-guaranteed, a guaranteed deal, to the player he is today. I don't think I've seen a jump like that in my career."

That's high praise coming from a player who has shared the court with countless teammates over more than a decade in Milwaukee, and it speaks to just how impressive Rollins' emergence has been this season.

The young point guard has stepped into a much larger role following Damian Lillard's departure from Milwaukee over the offseason after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs.

Rollins' Breakout Campaign

Rollins has been nothing short of sensational in 2025-26, averaging 18.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting over 49 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.

Those numbers represent a massive leap from last season when he averaged just 6.2 points per game in a reserve role, and they have him squarely in the conversation for Most Improved Player.

During Milwaukee's seven-game losing streak, Rollins has been forced to shoulder an even heavier load with Antetokounmpo sidelined for four of those contests.

He responded with multiple 25-plus point performances and even posted a 32-point, 14-assist game in an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, proving he can create offense both for himself and his teammates at an elite level.

Head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the burden being placed on his young guard after Monday's loss to Portland, saying the Bucks are struggling to generate offense when teams take Rollins out of the game.

Giannis Asks for Winning Mindset

Beyond the X's and O's, Antetokounmpo made it clear that the Bucks' struggles run deeper than just spacing and shot creation. He called out the entire roster for losing focus on what matters most.

"Nobody should have a personal agenda. Nobody should worry about what they want from themselves," Antetokounmpo said. "Worry only about winning mentality, winning mindset. The more we can win the games, the more everything takes care of itself."

Milwaukee will look to end its losing streak on Saturday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum.

With Antetokounmpo back in the lineup and Rollins continuing to prove his superstar teammate right about that unprecedented leap, the Bucks have the talent to turn things around.

It will take a collective effort and the right mindset to do it, but Rollins' development gives Milwaukee a reason to believe brighter days are ahead.