The third round of the Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks this season provided us with one of the most entertaining games of the season. The Bucks beat the Pacers, 140-126, but the high-scoring game was just the tip of the iceberg for this burgeoning Central Division rivalry.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo was funniest part of Bucks-Pacers game ball controversy
Thanasis Antetokounmpo stole the show on Giannis’ big night
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points on remarkable 20-of-28 shooting from the field, a new career-high and a new Bucks franchise record. After the final buzzer, Antetokounmpo tried to secure the game ball, which started the goofiest NBA controversy of this season. The Pacers had already grabbed the ball to commemorate Oscar Tshiebwe’s first official NBA point. Antetokounmpo rushed into the tunnel to get it for himself, and the scuffle that happened behind the scenes reportedly saw a Bucks player bruise the ribs of a Pacers executive with an elbow. We have a full breakdown of the post-game silliness here.
GameBall-gate was not the only content Bucks-Pacers provided us with on Wednesday night — there was also Giannis’ older brother, Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo, trying to make himself the main character of the game.
During one point in the second half, Aaron Nesmith wrapped up Giannis around his head when trying to foul him to prevent an easy layup. The mini scuffle broke out, and Thanasis needed to be held back.
Nesmith was dinged with a flagrant foul, and Nesmith and Bucks forward Bobby Portis were each assessed a technical for the scrum. The internet had fun watching Thanasis in that clip.
When Thanasis checked into the game just before the buzzer, the crowd roared ... for Giannis, who was checking out with a career-high 64 points. Thanasis was loving the ovation.
The big moment from the post-game situation was Giannis sprinting into the tunnel to try to get the game-ball back, and then getting in Tyrese Haliburton’s face to yell at him. Who was right behind Giannis as he ran into the bowels of the arena?
Thanasis, of course. Watch the video of the Antetokounmpo brothers sprinting here.
What in the world, man.
Foolish stuff all the way around. Giannis played an amazing game, but it feels like getting so upset over a game ball is a bad look. NBA fans will be the judge of that, I suppose.
We love a silly little NBA drama. Thank you for the content, Bucks.
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