With their 126-119 win Saturday night, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 34 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, the Milwaukee Bucks have clinched the season series over the Pacers. On the heels of a brutal 115-114 loss to Indiana on Tuesday, courtesy of a four-point play in the final seconds, the victory was a satisfying way to end the regular season slate against a bitter rival.

Feb 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) battle for the ball in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

If the standings hold, it won’t be the last time these foes meet this season, pending a four/five-seed playoff matchup. The Bucks improve to 38-28 with the win, extending a one-game lead over the Pacers for fourth place in the East.

Afterwards, Doc Rivers fielded questions on a number of aspects from the game, but he also dropped a nugget on Giannis’ overlooked place in the MVP race. Despite another stellar campaign, the Greek Freak has all but disappeared from the conversation. Fair, or not?

MVP Trending Toward Clearcut Favorite in SGA

Public consensus has reduced the competition to a two-man game between Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Certainly those two are having historic seasons. SGA leads the league in points per game (32.8) for the best team in the West. Jokic is averaging a 29-point triple double and Denver has surged in the second-half. Both rank extremely well in advanced metrics like net rating or on-off point differential.

As SGA continues to pull ahead, sportsbooks give the Thunder point guard around -600 odds to win. Joker has slipped to about +400.

Where does Giannis fit in? After occupying a distant third place for much of the season, he has slid all the way into a multi-way tie at a consensus price of 50-1.

Much of that has to do with the Bucks’ record and place in the standings. OKC is 55-12. Denver is 43-25. Cleveland, led by Donavan Mitchell, is 56-10, best in the league. Jason Tatum and the Celtics are 49-19 and title favorites.

MVP voters tend to put a lot of stock in team performance. In that department, Giannis simply can’t compete.

Mar 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Another Outstanding Year from Giannis as Bucks Continue Playoff Push

Of course, subject to certain team performance standards, MVP is supposed to be an individual award. Antetokounmpo has already proven himself worthy twice. This season he is averaging 30.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists, all while shooting 60.3% from the field.

While he has conserved energy at times in recent seasons, he remains a strong defender who can flip the switch at any moment. He hasn’t even been playing healthy in 2024-25, sidetracked by a calf strain that has him finally easing out of a minutes restriction. He logged 35 minutes on the floor on Saturday before fouling out at the 2:46 mark.

Nonetheless, Shai and Joker are the only ones being considered for MVP. Although this is understandable, given their individual seasons and the strength of their teams, according to one opposing coach, refusing to recognize Giannis is ridiculous.

“You know what’s funny,” Rivers told reporters, “I was talking to one of the better coaches in the league. And he brought it up. He said, ‘How the hell is no one talking about Giannis.’”

Understandable or not, it is rather incredible. Not many people, except maybe Bucks fans, would vote Antetokounmpo ahead of the other two. That isn’t the argument. What’s incredible is that he isn’t even acknowledged in the race.

Mar 8, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Elite Status Hasn’t Stopped Him from Getting Even Better

Rivers recalled his conversation with the coach. “He’s like, ‘He is doing different stuff. His assists have grown, keep going up. He’s playing better.’”

Doc continued, “I mean, I don’t know what the guy has to do. I’m not going to campaign, I’m not going to do that. But he is a forgotten guy, with what he’s doing for our basketball team. For sure.”

Regarded as at least a top 5 player for the better part of a decade, Giannis continues to work on every facet of his game. More than anything, his absence from MVP discussions testifies to the mind-blowing seasons SGA and Jokic are having.

As for his part, he has repeatedly emphasized winning over individual accolades or attention. His team needs him healthy down the stretch and in the playoffs, where Milwaukee has suffered two consecutive first round exits.

Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) reacts with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Theoretically, a deep playoff run for the Bucks this season could bump Giannis’  stock going forward. Touted as a regular season award, MVP also incorporates narrative and big-picture legacy.

More importantly, this team needs to cleanse the disappointment that has ended recent seasons. More than likely, that task will need to start with first round revenge against Indiana.

One thing the Bucks can count on: award-worthy or not, Milwaukee will have the best player on the floor in any Eastern Conference series.