Giannis Antetokounmpo throws the ball off the backboard to HIMSELF to seal his fourth triple-double
Giannis Antetokounmpo flicks the ball off the backboard toward HIMSELF with just one second left to seal his fourth triple-double of the season, as the Bucks star admits he ‘stole one’… but will it count?
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo posted his fourth triple-double of the season in bizarre fashion.
In the dying seconds of a 117-111 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, Antetokounmpo grabbed a rebound after a shot by Washington forward Corey Kispert.
As the clock ticked down, Giannis dribbled down the court to the Wizards’ basket, slowing down and coming to a stop under it.
With less than two seconds to go, Antetokounmpo looked toward the basket, bounced the ball off the bottom of the backboard, and made a catch as time expired.
Officials in the arena credited ‘The Greek Freak’ with the rebound, bringing his total to 10 and completing his triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbed an intentional rebound Sunday
That rebound was enough for Giannis to record his fourth triple-double of the season.
After the game, Antetokounmpo said that he intended to score, but admitted that he used a little trick to get what he needed.
“I was thinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in those situations it’s better to keep the ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “But yeah, I’m just trying to play the game smart and I did draw one.”
While Antetokounmpo could have finished the night by posting a triple-double, it’s possible the NBA will declare him an invalid for his purposeful absence.
The league has precedent for it. In 2003, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Davis came within one rebound of a triple-double in a home game against the Utah Jazz.
He intentionally shot the ball outside his own basket to get the board. However, the arena’s official scorer did not credit the attempt and the league clarified that it would not count.
Just a year later, Atlanta Hawks guard Bob Sura intentionally missed a layup to grab one last rebound in his attempt to record three straight triple-doubles.
At the time, he was credited with the rebound, however the league said he would not be credited with the backboard the next day.
Along with 23 points and 13 assists, Antetokounmpo could make up that last board.