After the Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 140-126 on Wednesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high and a franchise-record 64 points, sparking a violent fight with the team after the game.
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Because the Pacers had taken the game ball from the “Greek Freak” on his historic night, Antetokounmpo stormed off the court and into the visitors’ locker room in search of it.
When Antetokounmpo returned to the court, he got into a heated argument with Tyrese Haliburton, a prominent player for the Pacers.
Following the game, Oscar Tshiebwe, a rookie who scored the game’s first official NBA point, received the game ball from the Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who informed reporters that there had been a “misunderstanding.”
“We consistently win the game ball. Giannis’ franchise record was not on our minds, Carlisle stated following the game. We seized the ball and a few minutes afterward, a few of their players found themselves in our hallway, resulting in a large-scale altercation, or brawl, as you may want to refer to it.
“I don’t believe any blows were delivered, but one of their players elbowed my general manager in the ribs, so he definitely has a bruised rib and who knows if it’s anything more.”
“A regrettable circumstance. There are two game balls there, and we could have taken the other one if we didn’t need the official one. However, things didn’t have to get that bad.”
In response to a question about his ability to obtain the game ball, Antetokounmpo replied he had “no idea.”
He said to reporters, “I really don’t know; I have a ball, but I’m not sure if it’s the game ball.” “To me, it feels like a brand-new ball—not like the game ball. I am aware. I spent thirty-five minutes playing today, so I am familiar with the feel of the game ball.
“I’ll definitely take the ball I have and present it to my mother. I’m not sure whether it’s the game ball, but whatever, life goes on.
“It’s really unfortunate; I’ve never seen anything like this.”
The Bucks’ triumph over the Pacers was their second in three days, and it concluded a tripleheader between the two clubs that began last Thursday with Indiana defeating Milwaukee in the In-Season Tournament playoffs.
In addition to his 64 points, Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block on his career night.
Khris Middleton contributed 14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and six assists, while Damian Lillard added 21 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.
The Bucks are now 17-7 and second in the Eastern Conference, while the Pacers are fifth after falling to 13-9.