-
Andrew LopezESPN
Milwaukee – Giannis Antikonmo He noticed her coming.
The Milwaukee Bucks star was about to start out a postgame interview on the sector when he noticed his teammates standing within the tunnel, out of his sight. He knew precisely what they have been planning, too.
With extra teammates rising, Antetokounmpo slowly started to fall again from the baseline all the best way to his half of the sector.
Ultimately, he accepted his destiny and his teammates dunked him within the water to have a good time one other spectacular efficiency — 50 factors and 13 rebounds on 20-of-26 taking pictures in simply half-hour of motion because the Bucks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 135-110, on Sunday.
Usually, a post-game water bathe is reserved for the locker room, however his teammates determined it needed to be executed on the sector.
“We are able to as properly do it in entrance of everybody,” the Bucks guard Jrue vacation He mentioned. “It is actually simply to indicate how a lot we admire him. For him to go on the market and do it’s nice regardless of what number of occasions you rating 50.”
It was Antetokounmpo’s fifth profession common season 50-point sport and his second this month—the primary time he had had a number of 50-point video games in the identical season. He had 55 factors on January 3 towards the Detroit Pistons. He additionally joins Joel Embiid As the one gamers this season with a number of 50-point, 10-rebound video games this season.
Antetokounmpo scored 18 factors within the first quarter as he bought off to a quick begin and by no means seemed again. He had 29 factors within the first half, tied for second within the first half.
Vacation mentioned Antetokounmpo makes it look straightforward and is aware of precisely what to do when he makes a begin like he did on Sunday.
“It is an incredible time,” mentioned Vacation. “Everyone’s form of on his shoulders and we’re simply getting alongside. At that time, we simply should again him up. If he passes it to us, shoot. However for probably the most half, we all know who’s going to hold us.”
Bucks Middle Brook Lopez He mentioned when Antetokounmpo performs the best way he has it’s “enjoyable to look at”.
“He got here to courtroom together with his regular dedication,” Lopez mentioned. “He did not settle. He was reaching for the sting in methods he may and simply ending it. These are robust ends, and he was nonetheless getting them executed.”
Antetokounmo entered the fourth quarter with 35 factors and was sitting at 44 earlier than hitting 3 consecutive pointers late within the fourth quarter to attain 50 factors.
He admitted he knew he was near the fifty mark late on as he was racking up the three-pointers.
“I knew if I may get the rebound, I might shoot,” Antetokounmo mentioned. “It does not all the time work out, but it surely labored tonight. I did not hesitate in any respect. I used to be in a position to get my leg below my shot. I simply stayed there and watched the ball go in.”
“It is a kind of moments you simply cannot take without any consideration since you by no means know when you are going to have these moments once more.”
Antetokounmo instantly turned his consideration to the Charlotte Hornets, who the Bucks play Tuesday evening. The final time the 2 groups performed on January 6, the Hornets got here away with a 138-109 victory.
That evening, Antetokounmpo completed with simply 9 factors and 4 rebounds on 2-of-7 taking pictures, a far cry from his efficient evening towards the Pelicans on Sunday.
“Tonight I believe 50 of 26 photographs is spectacular,” Bucks coach Mike Bodenholzer mentioned. “All he is executed, his aggressiveness. A few 3s, particularly late on. However he shoots very well. He appears like extra pick-and-shoot is one thing if we are able to create a number of of these for him and construct confidence in that space, preserve hitting it.” The free throw line and dealing on that, these are the areas the place he is getting higher.”