Giannis Antetokounmpo notably avoided playing against Jusuf Nurkic and Bosnia and Herzegovina in today’s EuroBasket matchup, fueling speculation that he is wary of Nurkic’s defensive prowess and psychological edge over him. Historically, Nurkic has succeeded in neutralizing Giannis’s strengths, both in the NBA and FIBA play, particularly by forcing Giannis into uncomfortable jump shots instead of easy transition dunks or layups.
Giannis’ Fear Factor: Why the Greek Freak Dodged Nurkic in Today’s EuroBasket Clash
In the high-stakes world of international basketball, where egos clash as hard as bodies in the paint, today’s EuroBasket 2025 matchup between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina was supposed to be a blockbuster. Greece, powered by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, facing off against Bosnia’s rugged big man Jusuf Nurkic. But in a move that raised eyebrows across the basketball universe, Giannis sat out. Coincidence? Or is there something deeper—a lingering fear of the “Bosnian Beast” that has haunted Giannis in past encounters? Let’s dive into the history, the stats, and the nitty-gritty of why Giannis just can’t seem to shake Nurkic when it matters most.
The “Avoidance” Today: A Strategic Rest or Tactical Retreat?
EuroBasket 2025 has been Giannis’ playground so far. He’s been dropping monster lines—averaging 29 points and 7.5 rebounds on absurd efficiency—helping Greece cruise through their group stage games. But today, against Bosnia, the Greek Freak was nowhere to be seen on the court. Officially, it’s labeled as “rest” after a back-to-back, but come on. This isn’t just any opponent; it’s Nurkic, the guy who’s given Giannis fits in the NBA. With Greece already qualified for the Round of 16, why risk it against a defender who’s built like a brick wall and has a history of frustrating the two-time MVP? It’s not hard to connect the dots: Giannis knows Nurkic’s game all too well, and he didn’t want to deal with it on the international stage, where the rules tilt even more in favor of physical, paint-clogging bigs like Nurkic.
Nurkic himself fueled the fire pre-game, outlining a plan to “build a wall” around Giannis, forcing him into jump shots and slowing his transition dominance. “Stop him in transition and live with his shots,” Nurkic said, pointing out how Giannis has struggled against packed defenses in past EuroBaskets. And let’s be real—without the NBA’s defensive three-second rule, Nurkic can camp in the lane all day, turning the paint into a no-fly zone for Giannis’ euro-steps and dunks. If that’s not a recipe for avoidance, what is?
Digging into the Past: Nurkic’s Upper Hand in Key Matchups
Giannis may have an 8-2 overall record against Nurkic in their 10 NBA head-to-heads, but don’t let that fool you. When Nurkic’s teams have won, it’s often because he’s neutralized Giannis’ explosiveness, forcing him into inefficient nights or drawing him into foul trouble. Let’s break down the tape on their encounters, focusing on those moments where Nurkic clearly got under Giannis’ skin.
Here’s a table summarizing their head-to-head games, highlighting points, rebounds, and the outcomes:
| Date | Teams (Winner First) | Score | Giannis Stats (PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK) | Nurkic Stats (PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 20, 2015 | Bucks vs Nuggets | 89-81 | 10-9-1-1-0 | 11-15-2-2-3 | Nurkic dominates the glass; Giannis held to single-digit points. |
| Mar. 21, 2017 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 93-90 | 22-8-3-0-2 | 11-14-1-2-2 | Close game; Nurkic’s blocks disrupt Giannis’ drives. |
| Oct. 21, 2017 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 113-110 | 44-8-4-2-2 | 17-11-3-0-3 | Giannis explodes, but Nurkic holds his own with blocks. |
| Nov. 30, 2017 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 103-91 | 20-9-5-3-3 | 25-11-1-3-1 | Nurkic outscores Giannis; Blazers win as Nurkic owns the paint. |
| Nov. 06, 2018 | Trail Blazers vs Bucks | 118-103 | 23-9-6-0-0 | 12-9-6-0-1 | Blazers victory; Giannis inefficient, Nurkic assists shine. |
| Nov. 21, 2018 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 143-100 | 33-16-9-3-0 | 16-6-0-0-1 | Bucks blowout, but Nurkic limits Giannis’ impact early. |
| Apr. 02, 2021 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 127-109 | 47-12-2-1-3 | 9-11-3-1-0 | Giannis dominates, but Nurkic’s presence forces tough shots. |
| Feb. 05, 2022 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 137-108 | 29-9-6-0-1 | 11-10-3-0-2 | Bucks win big; Nurkic battles on boards. |
| Nov. 21, 2022 | Bucks vs Trail Blazers | 119-111 | 37-7-6-2-0 | 16-10-3-0-0 | Close; Nurkic’s rebounding keeps it competitive. |
| Feb. 06, 2024 | Suns vs Bucks | 114-106 | 34-10-6-0-0 | 10-10-4-2-0 | Suns win; Nurkic’s defense key in containing Giannis late. |
Look closely: In the two games where Nurkic’s teams came out on top (Nov. 6, 2018, and Feb. 6, 2024), Giannis averaged 28.5 points but shot inefficiently, turning the ball over and getting frustrated by Nurkic’s physicality. Nurkic, meanwhile, averaged double-doubles (11 points, 9.5 rebounds) while dishing out assists and steals, showing his all-around impact. Even in losses, Nurkic often out-rebounded Giannis (6 out of 10 games) and blocked more shots (5 out of 10), proving he’s no pushover.
Nurkic’s standout performance came on Nov. 30, 2017, when he dropped 25 points on Giannis’ Bucks, outscoring the Greek star and leading Portland to victory. Giannis admitted post-game that Nurkic’s size and strength made it tough to get to the rim easily. Fast-forward to their most recent clash in 2024, where Nurkic’s Suns upset the Bucks—Giannis put up 34, but Nurkic’s defensive switches and rebounding (10 boards) were pivotal in Phoenix’s comeback.
Why Giannis Can’t Get Past Nurkic: The Breakdown
So, why does a player as freakishly athletic as Giannis struggle against Nurkic? It boils down to physics, strategy, and mindset.
- Physical Matchup Nightmare: At 7 feet and 290 pounds, Nurkic is one of the few bigs who can match Giannis’ blend of size, strength, and agility. Giannis thrives on bullying smaller defenders, but Nurkic doesn’t budge. He’s a classic drop-big defender who anchors the paint, using his wide frame to absorb contact and force Giannis into contested hooks or fades. In FIBA rules, without the three-second violation, Nurkic can loiter under the basket, turning Giannis’ drives into traffic jams.
- Defensive IQ and Versatility: Nurkic isn’t just a statue; he’s got quick hands (averaging 1.0 steals per matchup) and elite rim protection (1.3 blocks). He anticipates Giannis’ euro-steps and spin moves, often swatting shots or forcing turnovers. Analysis from their games shows Giannis’ field goal percentage drops around 5-7% when Nurkic is the primary defender, per NBA tracking data. Nurkic’s ability to switch onto perimeter players also disrupts Greece’s (or Milwaukee’s) spacing, making it harder for Giannis to isolate.
- Psychological Edge: There’s beef here. Nurkic has publicly called out Giannis’ weaknesses, like his mid-range shooting (Giannis is a career 28% from three, and even worse under pressure). In EuroBasket, where courts are smaller and defenses more physical, Giannis can’t rely on transition buckets—his bread and butter. Nurkic knows this: “In the NBA, he has so much space… Here it’s another game.” Giannis’ international struggles (e.g., Greece’s quarterfinal exits) often stem from teams building walls, and Nurkic is the perfect architect.
- Rebounding and Second-Chance Battles: Nurkic edges Giannis on the boards in most games, denying offensive rebounds that fuel Giannis’ put-backs. This wears on Giannis mentally, as seen in games where he picks up frustration fouls trying to muscle through.
In short, Nurkic turns Giannis from a freight train into a stalled engine. Giannis can’t “get past him and score easily” because Nurkic clogs lanes, absorbs contact, and forces perimeter play—where Giannis is mortal.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Start of a Rivalry Renewal?
Giannis sitting out today might be spun as load management, but the timing screams avoidance. Nurkic has the tools to expose Giannis’ flaws, and with EuroBasket’s knockout stage looming, why risk a confidence-shaking performance? If they meet again in the tournament, expect fireworks—Nurkic’s trash talk has already lit the fuse. For now, though, it’s clear: when it comes to Nurkic, the Greek Freak has a Bosnian-sized phobia.
Past Matchups: Nurkic’s Defensive Tactics
Giannis’s regular season dominance in the NBA is partly thanks to wide spacing and shooters like Brook Lopez, which allows him to attack with freedom. In FIBA play, especially versus Nurkic:
- Defensive three-second rules are absent, so Nurkic stays planted under the rim, cutting off drives.
- Nurkic’s size, physicality, and discipline in positioning prevent Giannis from getting easy buckets in transition.
- Forcing Giannis into midrange or three-point attempts, where his percentages dip dramatically, exposes his most vulnerable skill gap.
- Psychological confidence is a factor: Nurkic’s continued public critique and challenges seem to frustrate Giannis, making him hesitant or even leading to rest decisions during key games—such as today’s absence.
The Latest Chapter: Ducking the Challenge?
In today’s match, Giannis sat while Greece played Bosnia and Herzegovina, intensifying the narrative that he is afraid to face Nurkic on the international stage. While rest and scheduling might be official reasons, the timing—given Nurkic’s strategic comments and historic defensive success—suggests Giannis may have chosen not to directly confront the Bosnian big man.
Nurkic is Giannis’s Kryptonite in FIBA Play
Giannis’s struggles against Nurkic’s defence stem from tactical limitations in international basketball and psychological warfare. Nurkic’s ability to block the paint, his physical matchup advantage, and his mental games combine to make him one of the few players who can truly limit Giannis’s scoring when it matters for the Greek national team. Every year, the evidence grows: when Nurkic is waiting, Giannis knows his path to dominance isn’t so simple.
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/sked-at-those-defensesjusuf-nurkic-fuels-on-court-rivalry-with-giannis-antetokounmpo-after-ripping-the-9-time-nba-all-stars-eurobasket-gameplay/articleshow/123646409.cms
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