Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks earned a 112-103 victory over the Chicago Bulls on the road in the latest installment of the rivalry.
Antetokounmpo finished the game with 29 points and eight rebounds in the win.
He increased the score in the final seconds of the game with a breakaway windmill dunk with no defenders chasing after him.
Nikola Vučević of the Bulls took exception to Antetokounmpo’s dunk and walked over to midcourt to talk with the Bucks’ star.
Players from both teams began to run over before things became physical. It remains unclear whether any repercussions will be handed down to anyone by the league.
It was one of at least two physical altercations during an NBA game on Saturday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo comments on decision to dunk
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters after the game and explained his reasoning for dunking in the final seconds against the Bulls.
‘What, we’re 11th in the East? Are we 11th in the East or 12th? 11th? Just gotta keep finding our identity. And if that is to get a little bit of scrappy at the end, so be it,’ Antetokounmpo said. ‘Like, we’re not the champs. Why should we play the clock out and have respect and fair play? Like we’re fighting for our lives right now. This is real talk, I’ve been 13 years in the league, if we keep on losing, brother, probably half of the team’s not gonna be here.
‘We’re not going to make the playoffs (in 11th). Like I really don’t care. At the end of the day, I just want to be available, be healthy, and help my team win. And if that’s what has to happen for them – everybody – to wake up and understand like we’re fighting for our lives and we gotta get our hands dirty, so be it.’
Nikola Vučević comments on Antetokounmpo’s dunk
Nikola Vučević was asked to comment on the situation that took place after the game and his comments to Antetokounmpo.
‘I’m assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bulls didn’t want to trade for him,’ Vučević said.