By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo checked out with 90 seconds remaining in the Christmas Day game between Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The “Greek Freak” had already done his job, becoming the first Bucks player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to score 30 points in a Christmas game while also notching 14 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks as his team beat the Knicks 109 – 95 to improve to 23 – 10.
“It’s a big compliment. But I want to thank my teammates that put me in this spot to be successful. I’m happy we got to win,” Giannis said in the post-game flash interview with ESPN.
“Just to have the opportunity to represent the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee in this day means a lot to us. Thank God we got the win,” he added.
The Bucks were up 48 – 46 at halftime but turned up the offensive in the third quarter to score 36 points against the Knicks’ 22. The hosts didn’t have an answer against their opponents, and Giannis’ action in particular, and suffered their 26th loss in 35 games this season.
Rookie Kevin Knox scored 21 points for the Knicks. Turkish center Enes Kanter finished with 12 points plus six rebounds while French guard Frank Ntilikina and Croatian wing Mario Hezonja didn’t register any minutes.
Photo: Getty Images