The Milwaukee Bucks lost a close one Tuesday night to the Houston Rockets, 100-97, an affair that came down to missed 32-footer from Damian Lillard at the buzzer, but the game itself did not gain as much hype afterward as a single play in the fourth quarter.
That would be a hard foul, almost a chokehold, committed by Rockets forward Amen Thompson on Giannis Antetokounmpo as he drove to the basket. Replay review upgraded the penalty to a flagrant foul 2, resulting in automatic ejection for Thompson.
Giannis came up fine and there seemed no malice in the play, but fans had quite some fun with it. It’s hard to blame them, either. Warning: it was bad.
Fans Can’t Help ROFL-ing at Giannis Caught in Unfamiliar Pose in Milwaukee Bucks Game vs Rockets
The foul:
Amen Thompson ejected for a Flagrant 2 on Giannis.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 26, 2025
And a jumpscare of a freeze-frame:
— 📌 (@darwinsburner) February 26, 2025
As might be expected, fans found the play hilarious. Which, when you think about anyone trying to put Giannis–Giannis, of all players–in a chokehold, well, it kind of is.
Lmfao,this is worse than anything draymond has ever done
— スポーツ (@FreeAgen_) February 26, 2025
bro tried to execute him 😭 pic.twitter.com/aSuMue6fT3
— sonder. (@sonderaim) February 26, 2025
This is crazy, haven’t seen a WWE takedown in the NBA since Amen took out Tyler Herro like a month ago or so! 😭
— Hoops Enjoyer (@hoopsenjoyer515) February 26, 2025
Awarded free throws and the ball, Giannis knocked down one of two at the line to cut Houston’s lead to one, 92-91, but the Bucks couldn’t capitalize on the possession after Giannis got blocked at the rim and AJ Green missed a three following the offensive rebound.
Neither team mustered much offense in the final minutes–Houston won the quarter 15-12–and the Rockets escaped at home, improving to 36-22 with the win.
“Flagrant Three”: Two Tough Defenses, But Thompson Took “Tough” to a Whole New Level
With the loss Milwaukee falls to 32-25 on the season, half a game behind the Pacers for 5th in the East, half a game up on the Pistons. Albeit in defeat, the Bucks put on a hard-fought, gritty performance that saw them within a shot of overtime despite trailing the entire fourth quarter.
Continuing to ramp back from injury, Giannis played 32 minutes for the second game in a row and finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. He also went 9-12 at the line. He hadn’t made more free throws, or at a better rate, since January 25 against the Clippers.
It was not an offensive type of game, as both teams shot just 40% and relied on their defenses to keep the game tight. Indeed Houston ranks fourth in defensive rating this season; Milwaukee is 10th.
As for Thompson, he tallied 9 points, 9 boards and 6 assists before his ejection, plus 2 blocks. The box score did not include his WWE takedown attempt on the Greek Freak.
My gosh he tried to kill him
— Nando 🍀 (@nando17celtics) February 26, 2025
Damn near broke Giannis neck. Got damn
— Zhan (@dafearconqueror) February 26, 2025
amen tried to rko him bruh 😭 pic.twitter.com/ho2CC8dD88
— joeman (@joeman_goat) February 26, 2025
Buddy pulling WWE moves 😭
— MAC (@mittbaby23) February 26, 2025
Bro that’s a flagrant 3
— Jerod Frank (@Jerod_Frank) February 26, 2025
The Bucks host Denver (38-20) at 8 PM EST on Thursday.
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