Following the Milwaukee Bucks’ win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo was seen wearing a LeBron James jersey in the locker room.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Received Signed LeBron James Jersey
In his locker after the game, Antetokounmpo had a signed purple No. 23 jersey from James, according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier. Giannis’ brother, Thanasis, also had a signed jersey from Bronny James.
It was the first time Antetokounmpo and James played in a regular-season game against each other since 2022, and the timing of Giannis deciding to wear the jersey is creating a stir on social media.
However, context here is important amid trade rumors.
Antetokounmpo collects jerseys from his competitors around the league and said he asked James on the court after the final buzzer if he could add another one to his collection, per Collier.
“I got his jersey tonight.”
Giannis has the utmost respect for LeBron. pic.twitter.com/woRFIJe1vD
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 10, 2026
“You never know,” Antetokounmpo said. “Might be our last game against one another. … It means a lot to me. I think he’s a blueprint for every athlete, not just basketball athlete.
“Being able to be consistent for 23 years. Available. Be a winner, lead by example. It’s incredible. And any opportunity I have to be around greatness and compete against greatness, I will always take it. I never take it for granted.
“I have the utmost respect for him and his family and the way he’s carried himself for 23 years. And as I said, I miss going against him. I think he brings the best out of me as a player and he’s one of the guys that I definitely look up to on the court and off the court.”
As for James, the four-time MVP always looks forward to facing a fellow future Hall of Famer.
“At this point in my career, it’s always great to go against some of the greats. If it’s Giannis, if it’s Steph, KD, James, Russ. Guys that I’ve been either going against for a long time or played with.”
Giannis Made Defensive Plays Against James
Antetokounmpo helped secure Milwaukee’s 105-101 win against the Lakers on Friday night by blocking a shot by James and stealing the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute.
With 39.2 seconds remaining and the score tied at 101, Antetokounmpo blocked James from behind as the Lakers’ star went for the go-ahead layup. Milwaukee took the lead after Kevin Porter Jr. got fouled.
Then when James drove to the basket with the Lakers trailing by two, Antetokounmpo created another turnover when he knocked the ball loose for a steal with 1.5 seconds remaining to seal the win.
“Down the stretch, I just wanted to take the challenge,” Antetokounmpo said. “I wanted to stay in front of him as best I could. Because you knew that he’s going to make a play. He’s not going to pass it. And it worked out in my favor.”
The Bucks have won five of their past seven games since Antetokounmpo returned from injury Dec. 27 and six of their past nine games overall.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have lost six of 10.
Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) could return early next week from his six-game absence, according to coach JJ Redick.
