“King of Milwaukee” – Fans Praise Giannis Antetokounmpo Saving Lakers Rookie From Referee’s ‘Harsh’ Decision

Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped in to help Lakers rookie Adou Thiero take the game ball for scoring his first NBA points after some on-court drama.

“King of Milwaukee” – Fans Praise Giannis Antetokounmpo Saving Lakers Rookie From Referee’s ‘Harsh’ Decision

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks suffered a heavy 24-point, 119-95, defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. But he showed his sportsmanship as he helped Lakers rookie Adou Thiero take the game ball for scoring his first NBA points after the referees and Bucks staff refused to give it to him.

While Antetokounmpo did his part and scored 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists, the supporting cast struggled to find any offensive rhythm and could not contain the offensive duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who scored a combined total of 66 points for the Lakers. The Bucks were down by as many as 31 points during their big loss but the real drama took place after the final buzzer.

Lakers rookie Thiero scored four points, his first career points in the NBA. After the game ended, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt held on to the game ball as he exchanged postgame pleasantries with several Bucks players.

This caused some confusion as the referees and the Bucks staff were hesitant to give the ball away. Crew chief Pat Fraher approached Vanderbilt, took the ball away from him and then walked the ball to center court to present it to a Bucks team attendant.

Drama ensued and Antetokounmpo silently strode over and intervened, took the ball from a Bucks staff member and handed it to Doncic. After the game, Antetokounmpo explained the situation, saying he didn’t know why they weren’t giving the ball away, so he decided to resolve the issue.

Fans heap praises on Giannis Antetokounmpo for his class act

NBA fans took to the internet and appreciated the Greek’s attitude and sportsmanship after the game. While Antetokounmpo may have not known what the confusion and drama was about, his act won the fans over in the end. Here are some of the reactions.

Not the first time involving a game ball for Giannis Antetokounmpo 

This is not the first time that Antetokounmpo was involved in an incident like this. The drama on Saturday was far less contentious than what took place in Milwaukee nearly two years ago when the Indiana Pacers were in a similar situation to the Lakers.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo being held back in the hallway (Image credits – CNN)

The custody battle over the game ball took place when the Pacers players were trying to get the ball to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, on the same night that Antetokounmpo scored a career-high and franchise record 64-points.

Later it was reported that Bucks security actually had the ball. The events at the end of the game led to a heated confrontation in the back hallway. But this time, the NBA fans were treated to a happy ending and some sportsmanship.

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