The basketball world was buzzing in the aftermath of Wednesday night’s Central Division showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers. Social media was all over Giannis Antetokounmpo dropping a career-best 64 points in a truly mind-blowing performance, which was followed by some ugly scenes after the final buzzer.
The Pacers thought it would be a good idea to take the game ball to their locker room after Giannis’ big night. Apparently, they wanted to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first-ever NBA point in the same game. Antetokounmpo did not take it well.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard Reacts to Post-Game Controversy
Bucks superstar Damian Lillard has chimed in on the incident that transpired after Milwaukee’s big win. According to Dame, he’s never experienced anything like it in his 11-year NBA career:
“That’s a first. I’ve never seen all that type of (expletive) happen,” Lillard said (h/t Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “Yeah, I wasn’t really sure what was going on. I know that it was a physical game. There was a lot of back-and-forth, a lot of stuff was happening out there. It was a lot of talk in the last game and this game. And it was just, to me, just banter. It was a hard foul on Giannis that kind of turned it up a little bit. (Bobby Portis) was turned up tonight.”
Giannis not only had an animated discussion with Tyrese Haliburton after the final buzzer, but the former back-to-back MVP was also seen rushing to the Pacers locker room to try and retrieve the ball. It was an ugly way to cap off what should have been a joyous celebration for Antetokounmpo and his teammates.
Dame Also Made History
Lillard actually had every right to demand the game ball after entering the Top 5 in the NBA’s all-time 3-point list during the game. It was a momentous occasion for Dame as well, and it was one that he had been working tirelessly for throughout his basketball career.
Be that as it may, even Lillard himself would concede that Giannis deserved the game ball more than he did. Actually, not too many people out there, if any, would argue otherwise.
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