The Bucks desired Antetokounmpo’s game ball. The Pacers stole the ball for Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first NBA point, according to Indiana coach Rick Carlisle.
As a result, there was an altercation between the teams in the arena corridor. After then, it was still unclear who was in possession of the winning game ball.
“I’m not sure. “I won’t lie,” said Antetokounmpo. “I’m not sure. I’m not sure. Really, I have no idea. I think I have the game ball, but I’m not sure. I don’t feel like I’m holding the game ball. It has the sensation of a fresh ball. I am aware. How many minutes did I play today? I’ve felt the game ball before. I’ll definitely take the ball I have and present it to my mother, but I’m not sure if it’s the real game ball.
In one video, it looks like a Bucks staff member is gathering the real game ball. After the game, Carlisle stated, the Pacers appeared to have a backup game ball that they had taken.
Cameron Payne of the Bucks stated he was one of the guys that went into the tunnel.
Payne said, “Man wanted that ball.” “I’m supporting my teammate and sticking with my group. To be honest, there was a lot of ruckus. Man, all he wanted was his ball.
According to Carlisle, a fight broke out between a group of Bucks and the Indiana locker room in the corridor, with Indiana’s general manager being elbowed in the ribs.
It was regrettable what transpired following the game, Carlisle remarked. “There was a miscommunication over the game ball. We snatched the ball without considering Giannis’ franchise record.
“A few minutes later, a number of their guys found themselves in our corridor, and there was a large-scale, I’m not sure what to describe it—fight, brawl, anything. Although I don’t believe any blows were exchanged, one of their players elbowed my general manager in the ribs. He undoubtedly suffered a rib injury, but it’s unclear if there was any more damage. A unfortunate circumstance.
“The official game ball is not necessary for us. Two game balls are present. It didn’t have to go to that point; we could have taken the other one. Very regrettable.
The teams had played three times in the previous four weeks, according to Carlisle, who said that tensions between them were high. Last Thursday at the Las Vegas at-Season Tournament semifinals, Indiana defeated Milwaukee.
In a 113-111 defeat against the Utah Jazz, Antetokounmpo shattered the team mark of 57, which had been set by Michael Redd in 2006. In January 2023, Antetokounmpo achieved his previous career best of 55 points during a 123-113 victory over Washington. On November 9 against Indiana, he had 54.
He is an irrepressible athlete. You can’t watch over him individually. In the end, it’s all about him, even if he’s surrounded by some incredibly great players, according to Bucks coach Adrian Griffin. “His aptitude. His proficiency. His intention. He will stop at nothing to win, and he has an amazing desire to win. “Yes, Giannis has fifty,” one of the coaches said to me as I was just coaching the game. I was ignorant of this. But what a fantastic performance, amazing.
Antetokounmpo finished with 14 rebounds, 24 of 32 free throws, and 20 of 28 field goals.
