Nigerian-Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo scaled for a career-high 64 points as the Milwaukee Bucks took out their last week’s in-season tournament exit on the Indiana Pacers after an ill-tempered 140-126 victory on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Antetokounmpo, former NBA Most Valuable Player was in his best form, shooting 20-of-28 from the field with 14 rebounds, three assists and four steals as the clash between the two highest-scoring teams in the NBA lived up to its billing.
Last week, Milwaukee were dumped out of the in-season tournament semi-finals in Las Vegas by the Pacers and their determination to avoid a repeat of that loss was clearly displayed before their home crowd at the Fiserv Forum.
The simmering tension between the teams boiled over in the fourth quarter when Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith wrapped an arm around Antetokounmpo’s neck as he drove for the basket.
Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis flew in to defend his team-mate before being dragged away in an ugly melee that involved officials and coaching staff from both benches.
Although, Antetokounmpo’s 64 points marked a franchise record it later re-emerged back onto the court to remonstrate with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle explained that the post-game fracas was triggered over a misunderstanding about the game ball, snaffled by the Pacers after their Congolese rookie Oscar Tshiebwe scored his first NBA point off the bench.
Carlisle said, “We were not thinking about Giannis’s franchise record so we grabbed the ball and a couple of minutes later several of their players ended up in our hallway.
“There was a big fracas, melee whatever. I don’t think any punches landed but our general manager got an elbow in the ribs from one of their players.
“Unfortunate situation. It didn’t need to escalate to that.
“Third time we’ve played these guys in the past two to three weeks so things are heated and I understand all that. But for it to come into the hallway -– it didn’t need to happen that way.”
In other news, Anthony Davis scored 37 points as the Los Angeles Lakers held off a dazzling late rally led by French prodigy Victor Wembanyama to edge past the San Antonio Spurs 122-119.
The Lakers, missing LeBron James after Tuesday’s defeat in Phoenix, looked to be cruising after leading for almost the entire game and opening up a 20-point advantage early in the fourth quarter at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center.
However, a stunning fightback by the home team erupted for 45 points in the final quarter, leaving the Lakers clinging on towards the end of regulation before they eventually scraped home.
Number one draft pick Wembanyama denied his much-hoped-for match-up with James and excelled down the stretch with 14 points including two back-to-back three-pointers and a free throw that helped San Antonio get to within one point with 22 seconds remaining.
Despite San Antonio’s rally falling short, Davis nailed four straight free throws to give the Lakers a five-point cushion in the closing seconds, effectively sealing the game.
Wembanyama, who arrived in the NBA this season being hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent, finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and six blocks, earning admiration from Lakers linchpin Davis.
David said, “Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on him, No.1 pick.
“But he can play. He’s been struggling a little bit but he showed up tonight… he’s one of the ones -– a generational talent. It was fun going against him tonight.”
Wembanyama received offensive support from Keldon Johnson with 28 points, while Malaki Branham added 19 points as San Antonio fell to a franchise record-extending 18th straight defeat.
The Lakers improved to 15-10 to remain in fifth place in the Western Conference.
