"It doesn't feel like the game ball to me" - Giannis Antetokounmpo claims that the Indiana Pacers didn't return the right game ball back to him
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had a career performance against the Indiana Pacers after putting up 64 points and 14 rebounds in 37 minutes. However, that wasn't the story of the night, as there was an altercation between both teams over the game ball at the end of the contest.
The Greek Freak stormed into the Pacers locker room for taking the game ball, and then once he finally got ahold of it after the drama took place, Antetokounmpo claimed that they didn't return the right ball to him.
"I have a ball, but I don't know if it's the game ball. It doesn't feel like a game ball to me," Antetokounmpo said. "It feels like a brand-new ball. I can tell. I played for 35 minutes today. I know how the game ball felt. The ball I have, which I'll take, and I'll give it to my mom for sure, but I don't know if it's actually the game ball."
From the Pacers' perspective
Even before the drama over the game ball went down, the game was already heated in the fourth quarter. The game got chippy because Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith committed a hard foul on Giannis, which triggered the Bucks bench. This then caused a commotion that had to be stopped by the referees.
With the game already out of reach, it was clear that the Pacers weren't happy with how Antetokounmpo was stat padding in the midst of a blowout. Despite Rick Carlisle removing his starters when they were down by 16, Giannis was chasing his career-high 55 points and the Bucks' record of 57, which belonged to Michael Redd.
When the game ended, the Pacers brought the game ball to their locker room to commemorate their rookie Oscar Tshiebwe's first official NBA point. This was the tipping point for Antetokounmpo, who claimed he wanted to give the game ball to his teammate Damian Lillard, who moved into fifth all-time on the career 3-point list.
Animosity is brewing between both teams
While it's too early to consider the Bucks and the Pacers as rivals, there's no doubt that there's now animosity between both squads. It may have started during the In Season Tournament in Las Vegas when Indiana defeated Milwaukee (128-119) to advance to the finals. It was the same game where rising star Tyrese Haliburton mimicked Lillard's "Dame Time" celebration after the former hit the dagger to ice the game.
Lillard initially said that Haliburton copying his celebration didn't bother him and advised Tyrese to be careful and humble. When the seven-time All-Star got asked about the drama over the game ball after the game, Dame was just relieved that it didn't turn into a physical fight.
Unfortunately, the altercation overshadowed Antetokounmpo's record-breaking night, but like what Lillard said, that's the NBA today. It's all part of the gamesmanship and pettiness that comes with it.
