Bucks SF Giannis Antetokounmpo benched after 'coach's decision'

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Wednesday's game against Cleveland due to a 'coach's decision.'

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Wednesday's 104-99 loss to Cleveland due to a 'coach's decision,' according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

After the game, Bucks coach Jason Kidd became testy after reporters continued to ask why the forward wasn't on the floor. Per the Journal-Sentinel, he used the phrase 'coach's decision' six times in his presser. Before the game, Kidd had said Antetokounmpo would come off the bench, but did not indicate the young star wouldn't see the floor at all.

"Coach's decision," Kidd said when asked after the game. "It was a coach's decision. I don't know what, you guys can't hear? ...You guys are smart. How about the game?"

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Antetokounmpo said he received no explanation for the move. He'd appeared in all 77 of the team's games this season, starting 64 games in a row.

"He didn't tell me," Antetokounmpo told reporters, asked when Kidd told him he would sit. "No, he didn't tell me."

Kidd clarified that there was no health issue involved and that Antetokounmpo would practice Thursday. The 20-year-old swingman is Milwaukee's fourth-leading scorer at 12.7 points per game, and is second on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.7.

Jared Dudley replaced the second-year forward in the lineup and finished with five points, three rebounds and seven assists.

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- Erick Fernandez