With 3 minutes and 46 seconds left of their sport towards the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night time, the Milwaukee Bucks trailed 131-111 when Giannis Antetokounmpo drove to the basket. Spurs level guard Chris Paul tripped Antetokounmpo on his solution to the ring, drawing a private foul.
When the buzzer sounded, Antetokounmpo was seen saying “I’m proper right here,” walked to heart court docket and locked eyes with Paul, who stayed on the Spurs’ aspect of the ground. Neither participant moved for a number of moments, with Bucks assistant coach Vin Baker signaling for Paul to depart the court docket.
Pat Connaughton and Bucks safety positioned themselves in entrance of Antetokounmpo, whereas Paul waited to be interviewed by the Spurs’ tv crew. Ultimately, Antetokounmpo made his manner off the ground.
Animosity between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul
Antetokounmpo was visibly upset by the play, triggering a tense change between the Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr. and the Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan, with Antetokounmpo expressing his frustration over the foul.
Coaches and safety from each groups shortly stepped in to keep away from any additional escalation, whereas the referees reviewed the incident to evaluate if Paul had intentionally slid his ft underneath Antetokounmpo.
After a short overview, they deemed it a standard foul. Again on the Bucks’ bench, Antetokounmpo remained visibly annoyed. As he returned to the court docket, he instantly approached Paul to deal with the play, prompting one other separation between the gamers.
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Whereas it’s unclear whether or not Paul deliberately tripped Antetokounmpo, the 2 have a historical past relationship again to their 2021 NBA Finals matchup, which may have influenced the strain. It is doable that lingering animosity from that collection continues to be current.
Milwaukee’s unsuccessful street journey
The Bucks wrapped up their first Western Convention street journey of the season with a 1-3 report, falling 144-118 to the San Antonio Spurs on the Frost Financial institution Middle on Friday night time.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks secured a win in Utah however suffered losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Path Blazers. They now return residence briefly for a Sunday night time sport towards Memphis earlier than hitting the street once more for per week.
The Bucks (26-20) aimed to capitalize on a struggling Spurs (21-24) crew, which had misplaced eight of their final 10, however as an alternative confronted an aggressive, hot-shooting squad that outscored them 74-47 within the second half.
San Antonio displayed a balanced effort, with Victor Wembanyama main the cost, posting 30 factors, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Keldon Johnson added 24 factors, Stephon Citadel contributed 20 factors, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, Harrison Barnes chipped in 16 factors, Devin Vassell scored 12, and Chris Paul ending with 12.
Milwaukee was paced by its trio of stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 35 factors with 14 rebounds and 6 assists; Damian Lillard, who added 22 factors and seven assists; and ahead Khris Middleton, who chipped in 21 factors. Taurean Prince contributed 13 factors, the one different participant to attain in double figures.