Giannis Anteotkounmpo was unable to finish Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons — and it nearly cost the Milwaukee Bucks dearly. This is after the two-time NBA MVP was ejected from the game in the third quarter for his second unsportmanlike technical foul.
Thankfully for the Bucks, they were able to hold on to secure a 120-118 victory over their opponents, thereby saving Antetokounmpo for what could have been an embarrassing and very costly ejection.
Ref Speaks Out on Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Ejection
Naturally, the fans want to know what Giannis did to deserve his ejection. Even if you saw the two incidents unfold, you would still be very curious about why the game officials decided to slap the Bucks superstar with a couple of techs during the game.
Antetokounmpo’s first violation came in the second quarter. According to crew chief Rodney Mott, Giannis used some unsavory language toward the referee as he complained about a non-call:
“On the play, Giannis drives to the basket and he thinks he gets fouled,” Mott said, via via the pool report after the game (h/t ESPN). “Then he approaches the game official and uses profanity, which is an unsportsmanlike technical foul and was issued at that time.”
Just minutes into the second half, Giannis was whistled for another technical foul. This was after he viciously stared down Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart following a poster slam:
Giannis has been ejected after receiving his second technical foul. 🤔#FearTheDeer | #NBA pic.twitter.com/UKuAIJJrU7
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) November 9, 2023
Most fans believe that Giannis did not deserve to get called for another tech. The game officials, however, think otherwise:
“After the dunk Giannis turns to his opponent and taunts him and a taunting technical foul was called, an unsportsmanlike,” Mott said. “And he was ejected from the game, per rule, because two unsportsmanlike technical fouls, you are ejected from the game.”
No matter which side of the fence you’re sitting here, the fact of the matter is that there’s nothing Giannis or the Bucks can do about the ejection anymore. They could contest the call, but it’s not as if it’s going to impact the outcome of the game.
Milwaukee just has to thank its lucky stars that they emerged with a victory against Detroit.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
