Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates in return to Bucks’ lineup: ‘felt powerful’

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the court fittingly came in New York.

One month after feigning ignorance following a victory over the Knicks in Milwaukee about potentially forcing a blockbuster trade to New York over the summer, the two-time NBA MVP rejoined the Bucks’ lineup Friday night and registered 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in just 28 minutes in a 118-109 NBA Cup elimination loss at the Garden.

The Bucks had hoisted the in-season trophy one year ago with their star player named tournament MVP, but Antetokounmpo had missed their previous four games — all losses in what is now a seven-game skid overall — with a thigh injury.

“Obviously, you want to win games, you want to win tournaments. We had the opportunity to go to Vegas twice in a row. Not going to Vegas and not being able to gamble on ‘34-Red’ one more time, I think it’s going to be very tough for me,” Antetokounmpo said, referring to his uniform number. “At the end of the day, I want to win. We’ve lost seven in a row, and I don’t remember the last time I lost seven in a row. We gotta lock in … and be able to get that win tomorrow [in Brooklyn].

“But I felt good. … For the first game back, I felt powerful. I hoped that I could help the team win the game, but we have another one tomorrow and we have to get back on track.”

Antetokounmpo had been listed as questionable for the Bucks’ first visit to MSG this season, but the nine-time All-Star participated in the team’s morning shootaround and was announced as available about an hour before tipoff.

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS

Antetokounmpo committed two personal fouls in the first 90 seconds of the opening quarter, but he still netted 15 points by halftime, including a couple of alley-oop dunks, before matching that scoring output after intermission.

“With Giannis back, obviously he was on a minutes restriction tonight, which is really difficult in a game like this,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “We lost the leads when we took him off the floor.”

One of Milwaukee’s early wins this season was a 121-111 defeat of the Knicks at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 30, with Antetokounmpo netting a game-high 37 points on 16-for-22 shooting in 33 minutes.

When asked afterward by a Post reporter about ESPN’s initial report concerning the summertime trade possibility to New York, Antetokounmpo replied, “I don’t remember that.”

“Right now, I’m here representing my team, and that’s it. We beat the Knicks. So it doesn’t matter,” he continued. “What matters right now is we have a game in two days … try to stay locked in and get two in a row.

“But I didn’t read that article. I try to stay away from all the rumors and speculation and trades. It doesn’t concern me one bit. I try to involve myself and I try to help my team win games.”

The 30-year-old Greek Freak did acknowledge that night there was “a lot of extra [motivation]” to face the Knicks, who swept Milwaukee in the three-game season series between the teams last year.

“They were way better than us last year,” Antetokounmpo said. “We didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy, in my opinion. As the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things.”