MILWAUKEE – In an extraordinary display of scoring prowess, Giannis Antetokounmpo set a new franchise record by scoring 64 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a commanding 140-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. This remarkable achievement eclipsed the previous record of 57 points set by Michael Redd in 2006.
Antetokounmpo’s performance was not only a personal best, surpassing his previous career-high of 55 points, but also marked a historic moment in the NBA. He became the first player in the league’s history to make at least 20 field goals and 20 free throws in a game while shooting over 70% in both categories. This feat also represents the most points scored in a game with fewer than 30 field goal attempts.
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin praised Antetokounmpo’s unstoppable nature and his strong will to win, which was evident in his 20 of 28 shooting from the field and 24 of 32 from the free-throw line, coupled with 14 rebounds.
However, the postgame atmosphere was overshadowed by a confrontation near the Pacers’ locker room over the game ball. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle described the incident as a misunderstanding, explaining that they had taken the ball for Oscar Tshiebwe’s first official NBA point, not realizing the significance of Antetokounmpo’s record-breaking performance. This led to a tense encounter involving players from both teams.
The game itself had moments of heated exchange, notably when Antetokounmpo was tackled by Aaron Nesmith, resulting in a flagrant-1 foul and technical fouls assessed to Nesmith and the Bucks’ Bobby Portis. Portis was later ejected after receiving a second technical foul.
Despite these tensions, the Bucks maintained their dominance, with Antetokounmpo scoring seven straight points in the final quarter to extend their lead. Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard also contributed significantly, with Lillard making NBA history by surpassing Kyle Korver for the fifth-most 3-pointers.
The Pacers, despite efforts from Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner who scored 22 points each, couldn’t match the Bucks’ intensity. The team had previously defeated the Bucks in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament.
Antetokounmpo’s stellar performance and the Bucks’ overall dominance were the highlights of the night, setting the stage for their next game against Detroit on Saturday. The Pacers will look to regroup as they face Washington on Friday.
