Australia’s Josh Giddey found himself in the middle of NBA drama as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo broke one of the sport’s “unspoken rules” on Sunday.
The Greek Freak led Milwaukee to a 112-103 away win over Chicago in his first game back from an eight-game absence caused by a calf strain.
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In 25 minutes, Antetokounmpo had 29 points, but the final two were the most controversial with his Bulls opponents taking exception to his behaviour.
With the result sealed rather than dribbling out the clock Antetokounmpo ran down and windmill dunked, with Giddey’s ensuing half-court heave missing as time expired.
Chicago veteran Nikola Vucevic took exception, getting in Antetokounmpo’s face, before other Bulls and Bucks players started pushing and shoving.
A large mass of players and coaches including Giddey began to scuffle at mid-court as Antetokounmpo sheepishly walked away.
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“You can’t be mad at Giannis,” one of the TV commentators said.
“There’s an unspoken rule you don’t do that, but as soon as the Bulls saw he was starting to dribble towards the basket, they should’ve went and fouled him.”
ESPN analyst Bobby Marks tweeted: “Enough with these ‘unwritten rules’.
“It’s amazing when a player(s) gets their feelings hurt on plays like this.”
Giddey had 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in defeat.
The win left the Bucks 10-8 this season with Antetokounmpo and 3-11 without him.
The Bulls, meanwhile, sit ninth in the East with a 15-16 record with Sunday’s loss snapping a five-game winning streak.
OTHER RESULTS (via AFP)
At San Antonio, the Spurs lost 127-114 to Utah despite 32 points and seven rebounds from Victor Wembanyama in his return to the starting lineup. The French star had been a reserve the past seven games after a left calf strain.
Finland star Lauri Markkanen scored 29 for the Jazz on 11-of-16 shooting, 5-of-6 from three-point range, and Keyonte George had 28 points for Utah.
The Jazz outscored the Spurs 11-2 over the last three minutes for the victory, Markkanen scoring seven points and George four in the closing run.
San Antonio fell to 23-8 while Utah improved to 12-19.
New York’s win streak improved to four games as Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 36 points and 16 rebounds and Jalen Brunson added 34 points in a 128-125 victory at Atlanta.
OG Anunoby made four free throws in the last 30 seconds for the final points and Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker missed a final three-point shot.
The Knicks (22-9) have won 13 of their past 16 games while the Hawks have dropped six in a row.
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Kevin Durant scored 30 points to lead the Houston Rockets over visiting Cleveland 117-100 in a matchup of NBA contenders. Reserve Jaylon Tyson led the Cavaliers with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
Cam Thomas scored 30 points off the bench to power Brooklyn over host Minnesota 123-107. Anthony Edwards scored 28 for the Timberwolves.
Andrew Wiggins and reserve Jaime Jaquez each scored 28 points and Norman Powell added 23 to lead Miami in a 142-116 home victory over Indiana. Pascal Siakam had 33 points in a losing cause.
At Orlando, Anthony Black scored a career-high 38 points and Desmond Bane added 24 to lead the Orlando Magic over Denver 127-126.
Nikola Jokic had a triple double to lead the Nuggets with 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists and his two free throws with 11.9 seconds remaining gave Denver a 126-125 lead.
But Bane answered with two free throws with 6.9 seconds to play to lift the Magic ahead and Denver’s Jamal Murray missed a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give Orlando the victory.
Devin Booker scored 20 points and Dillon Brooks added 18 to lead Phoenix to a 123-114 win at New Orleans.
Sacramento’s Russell Westbrook and Keon Ellis each scored 21 points to lead the host Kings over Dallas 113-107.
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