Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 43 points and 13 rebounds. the Milwaukee Bucks lost 113-107 to the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
But after the game, Celtics players expressed irritation with Antetokounmpo and his on-court behavior. Jaylen Brown was particularly blunt about his feelings about the Bucks star.
“Giannis is a kid,” Brown said, via NBC Sports Boston. “I’m just focused on helping my team win. And that’s what we did tonight.”
If Brown’s irritation had to do with Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake, something you might see from a fourth-grader on the playground, it seems rather humorless. However, he was asked about an offensive foul that Antetokounmpo committed before the on-court exchange and that explains Brown’s response more.
On the play in question, Antetokounmpo swung his left elbow around and hit Brown in the side of the head as he attempted to take a shot in the lane.
As he walked back onto the field, Antetokounmpo tried to give Brown a hand clap or handshake, as if to say, “No hard feelings. Brown was about to reluctantly acknowledge the gesture. But when Antetokounmpo pulled his hand away to stroke his hair, it showed insincerity.
If Brown was angry about getting elbowed in the head. the fake handshake certainly made him angry. He effectively let Antetokounmpo know this with a hard foul in the fourth quarter that was called a Flagrant 1.
Asked if Brown called him a child, Antetokounmpo responded with surprise.
“Oh, did he say that?” he replied. “Dang.”
That wasn’t the only controversial play Antetokounmpo was involved in on Sunday. Earlier in the game, he extended his left leg as Jayson Tatum shot a three-pointer. That caused Tatum to roll his ankle as he landed on Antetokounmpo’s foot.
Antetokounmpo was not called upon due to a landing spot error, which Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla complained about after the game.
“That’s ridiculous,” Mazzulla told reporters. ‘I can’t miss that. I can’t miss that.’
“I could have been out for six weeks… if it was a no-call… that’s frustrating.”
Jayson Tatum Reacts to Giannis’ Missed Call That Rolled His Ankle and How He Kept His Composure pic.twitter.com/YaG45RrUr5
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 11, 2024
Understandably, Tatum was angry about the no-call and also about his sore ankle.
‘There are certain calls that I don’t think you should miss’ said Tatum. “Your job is to protect the guys on the field, protect the shooter. That’s something, I could have been out for six weeks or something.”
“Because it’s a no-call, let alone they haven’t even been able to review it or look at it, then I lose my s–, cussing someone out, then I get a tech, it’s like a double whammy, he added. “That’s frustrating.”
Tatum finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds, while his team also took the win. A game between the Celtics and Bucks would have looked like a potential Eastern Conference playoff game this season. But due to Milwaukee’s problems, a postseason bid seems doubtful at this point. But there is still plenty to play for this season.
The Celtics and Bucks will play again on Dec. 5 in Boston unless the two play each other in the NBA Cup regular-season tournament.
