A new video is going viral online as it allegedly shows the interaction between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Indiana Pacers players after the Milwaukee Bucks star tried to retrieve his game ball.
Antetokounmpo made history on Wednesday night after he recorded a career-high and franchise single-game record 64 points in their 140-126 win against the Pacers. Sure enough, he wanted to get the game ball as a memento for his incredible performance. That’s definitely normal for players who make or set new records in games anyway.
However, the Pacers got the ball in order to give it to their rookie, Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first official NBA points in the said contest. Antetokounmpo didn’t like that at all and quickly charged to the tunnel and into the Indiana locker room to get the ball.
What happened inside was initially unknown to the public. Antetokounmpo later on returned to the court without the ball and confronted Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton in a heated exchange. Eyewitness reports noted that Giannis, along with his brother Thanasis and teammate Jae Crowder tried to get the ball, though to no avail.
Now, a video showing Antetokounmpo’s pursuit of the ball to the Pacers’ locker room has been making its rounds on social media. In the said video, Myles Turner and the Indiana players can be heard refusing to give the Bucks superstar the ball.
Here’s the video, as shared by X account LegendZ, which has been popular for sharing viral NBA videos and audio transcriptions from the game:
LEAKED Audio Of Pacers Refusing To Give Giannis Antetokounmpo The “Game Ball”👀:
“You want the ball? You’re not getting that ball”
Then, Giannis gets heated at Tyrese Haliburton and yells at him: “Go get the f*cking ball! You need to go get it” pic.twitter.com/e9XAQzNZVl
— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) December 14, 2023
This is definitely not a good look for the Pacers, especially since many already perceived what they did as a classless act. Both sides could have handled it better, but it’s definitely bizarre for a visiting team–and the losing team for that matter–to try to get the game ball when the opposing home side made a number of history on their side.
Considering how chippy the game was between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, it’s not really surprising why the visitors wanted to annoy the player that just dropped 60-plus points on their heads.
What Really Happened Between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers?
As more information about the incident emerged, the situation also got more clarity.
Apparently, the Pacers never got the real game ball and had a backup ball instead. A Bucks official reportedly got the ball.
It is worth noting, however, that Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle did admit that they did take the ball (thinking it was the real game ball) to give it to their rookie, not knowing about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s record. He shared that there was a lot of miscommunication, leading to the issue. In the end, the Pacers gave Tshiebwe a replacement ball instead.
To recap: It appears there was confusion when Bucks were aggressively pursuing what they initially believed was the game-used ball tonight in Milwaukee. A Bucks official actually grabbed the game ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64-point performance at the buzzer, according to… https://t.co/lHne8OJS4t
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 14, 2023
While Giannis was eventually given the ball, he did tell reporters postgame that he has doubts it’s the real game-used ball, explaining the it felt brand new rather than a used one.
Whatever the case may be, however, hopes are high that both sides will be able to move on from the issue.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow us on Twitter at @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” 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.
