Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton play a lot of minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks. Like, a lot of minutes.

In fact, the two players lead the NBA in minutes per game. Antetokounmpo averages 37.4 — a league high — and Middleton plays 37.2 minutes.

But if they had their way, Antetokounmpo and Middleton would play every possible second of every game, per Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times and Woelfel's Press Box.

If you listen to Antetokounmpo and Middleton, though, they’d prefer logging even more minutes – considerably more minutes.

“I want to play every minute,’’ Middleton said. “I know I can’t, so it’s whatever the coaches want.’’

Said Antetokounmpo: “I want 48 minutes.’’

The league's leaders in minutes want to play more minutes. That doesn't seem to make much sense. They want more work after already putting in the most work out of any other player?

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) reacts after a made basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Toyota Center.
Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. secures $122 million contract extensionRichard Pereira ·
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has some newcomers via the 2025 NBA Draft class.
LA Clippers 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) signals to teammates during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Bobby Marks details why Lakers’ LeBron James trade to Cavs won’t be easyRichard Pereira ·
Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (13) during NBA Finals Media Day at Paycom Center.
Pacers make contract decision on surprise playoff contributorAbdullah Imran ·
Featured image Elfrid Payton
Pelicans declining team option on assists-per-minute leaderDylan Fine ·
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Rockets emerge as serious Dorian Finney-Smith suitorLorenzo J Reyna ·

Most NBA players, want more minutes, and have to scratch and claw for every minute they receive. But Antetokounmpo and Middleton are so important to the Bucks that they need to be out there. If they're not, it's trouble.

But then again, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd needs to be careful about overusing his two best players. Milwaukee is a playoff team, and if any of those two gets injured because they're playing too much, it will be on him.

Antetokounmpo doesn't seem worried about that, per Woelfel.

“Me and J-Kidd get into arguments every day,’’ Antetokounmpo said, who averaged 35.6 minutes last season. “I tell him, ‘You got to play me more. You got to play me the whole 48 minutes.’ He says, ‘No.’ ’’

At least they don't have the beg to get on the floor like some other players in the league.