Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 64 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 140-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the in-season tournament last week.
Former NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo was on fire, hitting 20-of-28 from the floor with 14 rebounds, three assists, and four steals in a game between the NBA’s two highest-scoring teams.
The Pacers knocked the Bucks out of the in-season tournament semi-finals in Las Vegas last week, and they were plainly determined to avoid a recurrence in front of their home audience at the Fiserv Forum.
The clubs’ simmering rivalry erupted in the fourth quarter when Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith threw his arm around Antetokounmpo’s neck as he went for the basket.
Bobby Portis of Milwaukee flew in to support his teammate before being taken away in a heated brawl involving officials and coaching staff from both benches.
After the final buzzer, Antetokounmpo and other Milwaukee players dashed off the floor to confront members of the Pacers team.
Antetokounmpo, who set a team record with 64 points, later returned to the court to argue with Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said the post-game brawl was sparked by a miscommunication concerning the game ball, which the Pacers snatched after Congolese rookie Oscar Tshiebwe scored his first NBA point off the bench.
“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,” Carlisle said.
“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.”
Wemby rally falls short
In other news, Anthony Davis scored 37 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-119, holding off a stunning late rally led by French phenom Victor Wembanyama.
After leading for practically the entire game and creating a 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, the Lakers, who were without LeBron James after Tuesday’s loss in Phoenix, appeared to be cruising.
However, the home team’s astonishing comeback – which erupted for 45 points in the fourth quarter – left the Lakers clutching on at the conclusion of regulation before eventually scraping home.
Despite being denied his much-anticipated matchup with James, No. 1 overall pick Wembanyama excelled down the stretch with 14 points, including two back-to-back three-pointers and a free throw that helped San Antonio get within one point with 22 seconds remaining.
The Spurs’ rally fell just short, as Davis hit four straight free throws to give the Lakers a five-point lead in the final seconds, ultimately sealing the victory.
Wembanyama, who was heralded as a once-in-a-generation talent when he came in the NBA this season, concluded with 30 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and six blocks, winning the adoration of Lakers linchpin Davis.
“Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on him, No.1 pick,” said Davis.
“But he can play. He’s been struggling a little bit but he showed up tonight… he’s one of them ones -– a generational talent. It was fun going against him tonight.”
Wembanyama received offensive help from Keldon Johnson, who scored 28 points, and Malaki Branham, who scored 19 points as San Antonio lost for the 18th time in a row.
The Lakers improved to 15-10 to maintain their fifth-place standing in the Western Conference.
In other games, Philadelphia’s reigning MVP Joel Embiid scored 41 points in a 129-111 thrashing of the Detroit Pistons (2-2-22).
In Phoenix, Devin Booker had 34 points and Kevin Durant had 27, but the Suns were defeated 116-112 by the Brooklyn Nets.