Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 points in the first quarter on Wednesday night.
But Rivers was able to smile after the game, as Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’ 127-120 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest point total by any NBA player this season and just five points shy of Antetokounmpo’s career high of 64, which he set last season against the Indiana Pacers.
“I’ve seen a lot of great games as a player. Sitting next to Dominique (Wilkins) you obviously see a lot of great games,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate.
“It’s funny how a coach thinks, though. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. This ain’t good. I’m thinking the exact opposite. We’ve got to get somebody else involved in this.” “After the game, you realize how special this is. But during the game you’re in a panic.”
Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 field goal attempts and 16 of 17 free throws while also grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out seven assists, said he is working to find the right balance as the Bucks, who are now 4-8, try to recover from a slow start to the season.
“We were down by 15 or 18 points,” Antetokounmpo said. “I had to keep being aggressive in the second half but also focus on moving the ball. As a leader, you keep pushing with that energy and mentality. Sometimes you have to do both.”
The Bucks were missing point guard Damian Lillard, forward Khris Middleton, and forward Bobby Portis due to injuries.
Brook Lopez added 29 points, and Taurean Prince, Andre Jackson Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. also helped Milwaukee make a comeback.
Antetokounmpo was called for a foul with just one second left in regulation, with the score tied at 111. However, Pistons forward Ron Holland II missed both free throws, giving the Bucks a chance to take control. In overtime, the Bucks quickly went on an 8-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from Antetokounmpo.
“He has no quit in him,” Lopez said. “Just to be able to watch it the last seven years, to see the way he was tonight. I’m still seeing new stuff.”
Late in the third quarter, Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart was called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected after he pulled Antetokounmpo down by the jersey. That play was important because it helped the Bucks outscore the Pistons 38-24 in the quarter and erase an 18-point deficit.
“I’ve been in that position many times in my life,” Antetokounmpo said. “I have two older brothers that pushed me on the floor and were tough on me. It doesn’t really faze me anymore. All I could think about was ‘get up and make two free throws.’ At the same time, it’s a dangerous play. It’s not a basketball play.”
Before the game, Antetokounmpo gave his teammates a short speech.
“The first year I came to the Bucks (in 2013-14), we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. “I got a lot of chances to play and develop. Right now, guys are missing. Instead of thinking ‘Dame’s not here, Khris isn’t here, Bobby isn’t playing,’ we should be thinking that Andre (Jackson) is going to play, AJ (Green) is going to play.”
“Don’t take this moment for granted. All you can do is compete and hope your teammates follow.”
