Giannis Antetokounmpo believes "selfish" play has contributed to the Milwaukee Bucks' poor form and feels it might be time for him to be more demanding of his teammates.

The Bucks suffered a comprehensive 122-102 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, despite the NBA champions being without a host of injured players. 

Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams were all absent for the Thunder, who got 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee, who have lost four of their last five games after winning three of the previous four.

The Bucks' last three losses have all come by a margin of at least 18 points, also going down 139-106 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and 119-101 to the San Antonio Spurs.

And Antetokounmpo believes their blowout defeats have been caused by an inability to play as a team. 

"We're not playing hard. We aren't doing the right thing. We're not playing to win," Antetokounmpo said.

"We're not playing together. Our chemistry's not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys are trying to do it on their own.

"At times, I feel like when we're down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it's not going to work."

Tonight's player of the game. pic.twitter.com/64iJl4g0Mr

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 22, 2026

Antetokounmpo has not had more than 13 field-goal attempts in any of his last four games, and though it is not his usual approach, he admits he may have to be more forthright with his teammates if his lack of service continues.

"I'm not the guy that will yell and cuss his teammate out and demand the ball," Antetokounmpo said. "I've never done that in my career. 

"But I feel like I've played with teammates that understand the gravity that I can cause for our team, how I can create for teammates and for myself, and how I can help the team be more successful.

"Maybe for some reason, which I don't understand – maybe because we're young, maybe because we're not playing well – maybe guys think it's their turn.

"They want to carry the team on their back and try to turn this around, but I really don't get it. I really don't.

"They told me there's this thing that's called the white swan and black swan, that you've got to be the black swan and be more aggressive and demand the ball.

"It's something I haven't done, that I've never done my whole career. Maybe I've got to do it more."