- Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted the ball after the solid individual performance
- A Bucks employee grabbed it, but Antetokounmpo was told the Pacers had it
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Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't believe he got the real game ball after his 64-point performance Wednesday night.
“I have a ball, but I don't know if it's the game ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “It doesn't feel like the game ball to me.”
'It feels like a brand new ball. I see, I played about 35 minutes today? I know what the game ball felt like,” Antetokounmpo added.
Antetokounmpo sparked controversy after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 140-126, thanks in large part to his 64-point performance, the fourth-highest single-game total among active players.
To commemorate the occasion, Antetokounmpo wanted the game ball, but discovered the Pacers had already taken it. That turned out to be misinformation, as a Bucks staffer already had the ball in his hands.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looked for the game ball in the Pacers locker room after scoring a 64
Antetokounmpo's pursuit of the ball created tense moments after the Bucks-Pacers game
Unidentified member of Milwaukee's staff is seen taking the ball from an official as the game ended.
The Pacers planned to grab the ball for Oscar Tshiebwe, a former All-American at Kentucky, who scored his first official NBA points in the game.
Antetokounmpo's pursuit of the ball led to tense moments when he stormed the field and burst into the Pacers locker room to look for it. Still, it's unclear whether the two-time NBA MVP ended up with the real ball.
The confusing situation seems to have gotten out of hand, all due to miscommunication. It is unclear whether Antetokounmpo asked anyone on his own team if they had taken the ball before confronting the Pacers about it.
Only Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard and Devin Booker have scored more than 64 points in a single game among active players.