Giannis Stars as Greece Beats Italy in EuroBasket 2025 Group Play Opener

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo carried Greece to a 75-66 win over Italy in EuroBasket on Thursday, giving his country its first win of the group stage.

Antetokounmpo dropped a game-high 31 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field, adding seven boards. In a game with not much offense to be found, Antetokounmpo was the only player for Greece to finish in double-figures.

Italy kept things close through the first two quarters and even led early in the third quarter, but strong play from Antetokounmpo put Greece up double digits heading into the final period.

From there, Greece was able to hold off a late comeback from Italy and secured its first win of the EuroBasket group stage.

Up next for Antetokounmpo and Greece is a matchup against Cyprus on Saturday. From there, they'll take on Georgia on Sunday, Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, and Spain next Thursday to round out group play.

To advance to the EuroBasket tournament, teams must finish in the top three in their respective groups, although co-hosts Cyprus, Finland, Poland and Latvia get an automatic bid.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Greece currently hold the top three spots in Group C.