NBA rescinds Giannis' 10th rebound in game vs. Washington Wizards, denying him a triple-double

Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be credited with a triple-double in their last game against the Washington Wizards after the NBA rescinded his 10th and last rebound as they deemed it was made with no intention to score.

The league has rescinded Giannis Antetokounmpo's 10th rebound last night--and thus his triple-double, sources tell ESPN. League rules say that for a field-goal attempt to count as official, the player has to shoot "with intent to score a field-goal" -- i.e. to make the shot.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) March 6, 2023

Giannis went for it

The play happened in the dying seconds of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 117-111 win over the Washington Wizards last Sunday. With the victory already in the bag, the Greek Freak was one rebound short of another triple-double, and he knew about it. So, as he dribbled his way all the way to the basket, he softly threw the ball to the backboard and grabbed it right back for what he believed was going to be the rebound that completed his triple-double of 23 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Alas, it was not meant to be, as Giannis’ hilarious effort proved futile.

"I was thinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in those situations, it's best to kind of keep the ball," Antetokounmpo said after the game. "But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one."

Shades of Ricky Davis

Giannis’ antics brought to mind the wacky play that former NBA guard Ricky Davis tried to pull off in 2003. Up 25 points and just second remaining in the match, the then-Cleveland Cavalier received the inbound pass and immediately shot at his own basket to get a rebound that would complete his triple-double.

(2003) Up 25 with seconds left in the game, Ricky Davis intentionally missed a shot on his team's basket in an attempt to get a triple-double.

It didn't count, he was fined by the Cavs & given the nickname “Wrong Way Ricky." pic.twitter.com/eCMeF4bNHy
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 6, 2023

Game officials did not count the rebound, and Davis ended up with just 26 points, 12 assists, and nine boards. He was also fined by his team and earned the notorious nickname “Wrong Way Ricky.”