Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t just score 64 points against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. He also did it in a highly-efficient manner that’s rarely seen in the NBA today.
The Bucks destroyed the Pacers, 140-126, in a game that was mostly one-sided. Milwaukee led by as much as 22 points, and while Indiana tried to stage a comeback, they just had no answer for Antetokounmpo and his constant attacks to the rim.
Of Antetokounmpo’s scoring performance, 24 of which came from the free throw line. He attempted 32 freebies from the charity stripe. He also took three triples but didn’t make any, though it didn’t matter as his 2-point shooting and drives to the rim were almost certain to fall.
The Greek Freak finished on 20-of-28 shooting from the field, giving him a 71.4 shooting rate. According to NBA History on X, Antetokounmpo is only the fifth player in the history of the game to score 60 or more points while shooting 70 percent or better.
Who are the other four, you may ask? Well, they are none other than Wilt Chamberlain (who actually did it four times), Karl Malone, David Thompson and Milwaukee’s very own Damian Lillard (though Dame did it during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers).
Making the feat even more amazing, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64 points on just 28 attempts is actually the most ever scored while attempting less than 30 field goals, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Antetokounmpo’s 3-point shooting percentage might be the second-worst of his career, but why attempt a lot of triples if you’re unstoppable in front of the rim?
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Has 1 Regret vs. Indiana Pacers
It is also worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored the most points in an NBA game without shooting a three (at least since the 3-point line was added), and he couldn’t help but wish that he made at least one or two.
As Antetokounmpo noted, draining some long-range shots would have allowed him to make the game easier for himself.
“I did not think about that,” Antetokounmpo started when told about the record. “I wish I scored one or two threes tonight, make the game easier for myself. But it’s great, you know, I’m able to master angles that allow me to get in the paint.”
Antetokounmpo added, “I’m getting better in the free throw line; I’m getting more confident.”
Giannis tells me what it means to him to have the most points in a game in NBA history without making a three (since the three-point line was added). pic.twitter.com/QjMZJbMb1d
— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) December 14, 2023
It will certainly be awesome to see Antetokounmpo drain more shots from deep. After all, that will make him even more hard to guard. Nonetheless, Giannis as he is today is already unfair for the NBA. And he’s always fun to watch, regardless.
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