The latest round of one of the East’s most bitter rivalries goes to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Credit, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In the first game between the Bucks and Pacers since Myles Turner defected for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo sunk Indiana with a walk-off buzzer-beater for a 117-115 win Monday night.
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With the clock running under 10 seconds in a 115-115 game, Antetokounmpo faced up Pascal Siakam above the 3-point line. He shed Siakam on a screen and found himself guarded by the smaller Aaron Nesmith after a switch. Nesmith didn’t stand a chance.
Antetokounmpo backed him to the free-throw line, then pulled up for a turnaround jumper from the elbow. The shot was pure and sunk through the net as time expired, silencing the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.
Just moments earlier, Nesmith had tied the game by beating Antetokounmpo to the bucket for a layup.
That bucket capped a rally from 106-94 Bucks lead midway through the fourth quarter. But Antetokounmpo ensured that the Bucks would have the last laugh and the win.
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Antetokounmpo finished the night with 33 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 14 of 21 from the floor. It was another outstanding effort from the two-time MVP, who entered Monday’s game averaging an NBA-best 34.2 points alongside 13.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 68.4% from the field.
It’s MVP-level production, and it’s not empty stat-padding. With Monday’s win, the Bucks improved to 5-2 and are staking their claim as a contender in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
