The Milwaukee Bucks started off this season poorly for a variety of reasons. Of course, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has not yet prepared for the game due to offseason surgery on both ankles, which has led to a lot of frustration among fans over the team’s struggles. However, prolonged recovery is not the only reason.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have had great starts to the season individually, the rest of the Bucks lineup has been inconsistent. Many of their longtime players have begun to show their age, leading many fans to call for a trade or two to strengthen the roster and keep the window to an NBA Championship open.
The snail-paced start also led many to believe that Giannis could eventually request a trade from Milwaukee. However, his comments on the court at the end of the Bucks game Victory 127-120 in overtime over the Detroit Pistons should dispel these rumors.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had a historic night against the Detroit Pistons
That night, with Milwaukee playing without Lillard (concussion), Bobby Portis (wrist), Middleton (ankle surgery) and Ryan Rollins, the Greek Freak was absolutely unstoppable.
He scored 22 points in the first quarter as the Bucks tried to keep the game from getting out of control. Sure enough, Milwaukee didn’t lead until slow in the third quarter.
By the end of the competition, Giannis had 59 points (one career high), 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks. In a game where there was so little margin for error with all the players out of the game, the two-time NBA MVP made 16 of his 17 free throw attempts and made 1/2 of three.
He became the first player in NBA history with such numbers:
Giannis win in overtime:
59 PTS (most by a player this season)
14 REB
7 AST
2 STL
3 BLK
1 3PFirst player to achieve these numbers in the game. pic.twitter.com/e8lWqP4iP0
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 14, 2024
Giannis also reached 1,000 career blocks while playing.
Giannis Antetokounmpo gets emotional after the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons
During his postgame courtside interview, Bucks fans chanted “MVP, MVP, MVP” in response to his masterful performance against Detroit. This gesture obviously meant a lot to him, because he had trouble immediately answering the questions:
“No matter who plays, we don’t give up.”
He spoke with an emotional Giannis Antetokounmpo @melaniebricks after his 59-point overtime performance against the Pistons. #DeerFear | #NBA pic.twitter.com/XvMjxyZjqf
— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI) November 14, 2024
“At the end of the day, no one said it would be easy… I remember the year we won the chip, we didn’t start the season very well, but in the end we never gave up… No matter who plays, we never give up,” Giannis said, fighting back tears.
With a record of 4-8, this could be the win that changes Milwaukee’s season.
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