© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Controversy erupts as Giannis Antetokounmpo chases game ball straight into the Indiana Pacers' locker room
As if the action during the Milwaukee Bucks' 140-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers wasn't intense enough, it spilled over into the Indiana Pacers' locker room as Giannis Antetokounmpo pursued the game ball after learning the opposing team took it.
Bizarre end
It was a bizarre end to what had been a magical night for Giannis, who established a new career high and franchise record by scoring 64 points. The "Greek Freak" was searching for the game-used ball to presumably keep it as a memento for his record-breaking performance. However, upon being informed that the Pacers had taken it, Giannis beelined towards Indiana's locker room, followed by Thanasis, Cam Payne, and Jae Crowder.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported that the Bucks' security staff had already secured the game ball Giannis wanted. In the postgame press conference, Antetokounmpo expressed doubt about the veracity of the game ball he was given.
"I have a ball, but I don't know if it's the game ball. It doesn't feel like the game ball to me," Giannis said.
Giannis just wanted the ball
Payne said he followed Antetokounmpo to the Pacers' locker room to help him out. Scoring 64 points is no mean feat, and he wanted to make sure Giannis could get the ball as a reminder of the victory. On the other hand, the Pacers apparently wanted to give the ball to rookie big man Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first points in the regular season in the same game.
"Man wanted that ball. Following my team, helping my teammate out. It's just a lot of commotion, honestly. He wanted his ball, man. That's what it looked like, they took the ball. That man had 60," Payne said.
