Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nigerian Freak laments Milwaukee Bucks absence on Christmas Day

The NBA has been playing basketball on Christmas Day for almost 80 years, and nothing compares to seeing some of the top players in the league compete against one another.

Due to their recent success as one of the NBA's top teams, the Milwaukee Bucks have had several opportunities to play over the Christmas season.

In the past six seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have played on December 25. They were hopeful that this trend would continue in the 2024–25 season.

Regretfully, this week marks the Bucks' first time missing Christmas Day since 2017.

This time around, Doc Rivers' team has been left out of the five NBA games scheduled for Christmas 2024.

In an interview with Eric Nehm of The Athletic on Monday, Antetokounmpo expressed his feelings about the dearth of Christmas action.

He said, "There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts,”

"Two of the NBA All-Star starters, (Damian Lillard) and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP, right? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not in the East, in the whole NBA — is not in the Christmas game? What?"

Antetokounmpo is entitled to be displeased if the NBA decides its Christmas Day schedule based on popularity.

The Bucks' frustration with the rejection is understandable given that they have a number of the greatest players in the NBA on their roster.