The Milwaukee Bucks’ 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers ended in what Rick Carlisle described as a “fracas” over the game ball.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with a franchise-record 64 points, attempted to retrieve the game ball outside of the Pacers’ locker room.
Carlisle stated that the Pacers took the game ball to commemorate Oscar Tshiebwe scoring his first official points in the NBA.
Carlisle added that several Bucks players came into the Pacers’ tunnel before a scuffle ensued. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan was elbowed in the ribs during the incident, according to Carlisle.
“Unfortunate situation. We don’t need the official game ball. There’s two game balls there, we could’ve taken the other one. But it didn’t need to escalate to that. Really just unfortunate,” said Carlisle.
Antetokounmpo said that he was looking to give the game ball to Damian Lillard, who made his 2,451st career 3-pointer to pass Kyle Korver for fifth all-time in NBA history.
“I understand, when you score your first point in the NBA you want to have the ball or whatever the case may be. But at the end of the day you’re talking about the guy that just skipped Kyle Korver in the all-time list. In my opinion, we should all stop what we’re doing and appreciate greatness,” said Antetokounmpo.