It was supposed to be a momentous celebration for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetkounmpo on Wednesday night after he dropped a career-high 64 points on the Indiana Pacers in what was truly a mind-blowing performance.
The Pacers, however, had other ideas. According to reports, Indiana decided to steal away the game ball shortly after the final buzzer after falling short to the Bucks, 140-126. Naturally, Giannis was not at all pleased by their disrespectful antics.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Was HEATED
![NBA Twitter Reacts to Ugly Scenes After Pacers Steal Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo's Game Ball 1 Dec 13, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22099929_168400517_lowres.jpg)
The Pacers pretty much spoiled Giannis’ celebratory mood by taking the ball away. Antetokounmpo was seen in a heated argument with Tyrese Haliburton as the former confronted the Pacers star about the game ball:
Giannis and Haliburton had heated exchange following Bucks-Pacers 😳
It involved Pacers taking game ball away after Giannis' 64-point game pic.twitter.com/zsSGraLQVi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2023
According to reports, Giannis and his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, headed to the Pacers locker room to try and retrieve the game ball, which led to even more ugly scenes after the final buzzer.
NBA Fans React to Post-Game Shenanigans
![NBA Twitter Reacts to Ugly Scenes After Pacers Steal Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo's Game Ball 2 Nov 9, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball while Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_21859246_168400517_lowres.jpg)
For the most part, fans could not help but question Indiana’s decision to pull a fast one on Giannis. After all, you can’t really argue that Antetokounmpo deserved to take home that game ball.
How u gonna take the game ball after career night for that man ? 😂
— Bearded X (@Gunnerboyyyy) December 14, 2023
Don’t blame him. Franchise and career record.
— Ben (@HowUBenFeller) December 14, 2023
Well damn😳
I would not want to be on the receiving end of that from Giannis😬
— Nick the Insurance Guy (@nickenomics) December 14, 2023
Indiana when he tries to get the ball back pic.twitter.com/9bZTXGfzUB
— PandaSmusher (@panda_smusher) December 14, 2023
So petty from the pacers
— imghut (@imghuthoops) December 14, 2023
Naturally, there were still a number of fans who thought Giannis went overboard with his actions after the game.
Either way, though, it’s hard to defend Indiana’s antics here.
![NBA Twitter Reacts to Ugly Scenes After Pacers Steal Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo's Game Ball 3 USATSI 22056945 scaled](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22056945-scaled.jpg)
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