Giannis Antetokounmpo relived his most famous 50-point run in order to eat 50 nuggets of chicken in Chick-fil-A’s drive-through the following day.
He has an idea of what he can do to mark having reached that point on the third occasion within the last month.
Antetokounmpo recorded 20 points of the 54 he scored during the fourth quarter. The Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 21-point deficit to defeat Los Angeles Clippers 106-105. Los Angeles Clippers 106-105 on Thursday night to secure their sixth win in a row.
“Tomorrow I’m thinking I’m going to for a trip to Culver’s,” said Antetokounmpo who also scored 18 rebound. “I’ll take 50 cheeseburgers, and then try to devour as many as can. For the rest, I’ll let my child eat them, or I’ll will give them to the dog.”
This Greek superstar has scored at or near fifty points three times in his last 11 games. He scored a record-setting 55 points on Jan. 3 during a 123-113 win against Washington while scoring 50 points in just 30 minutes Sunday in a triumph of 135-110 against New Orleans.
Antetokounmpo is now at the milestone of 50 years in just six regular-season games. This doesn’t count his 50-point performance in the face of his team the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, which gave the Bucks their first championship since 1971, and resulted in his visit to Chick-fil A.
He is joined by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as being the only player in Bucks history to play at minimum three 50-point games within the course of a season.
“It’s an honor to be ranked alongside Kareem,” Antetokounmpo said. “Man I had no idea I’d be able to hit 50 points in the NBA when I was chosen. It’s an amazing, insane journey.”
In his last six games, Antetokounmpo has averaged 40.2 points and 14.5 rebound. Two free throws in the final minute made Milwaukee in front 106-105 and it was its first advantage in the second half since the Bucks scored seven more points to end the game.
Antetokounmpo missed a chance to give Milwaukee in front after the Bucks’ forward missed two free-throws in a game that was 105-104 with 2:13 remaining. However, he drove straight into the basket again during the Bucks next possession, which resulted in Ivica Zubac’s 6th foul, and made his free throws this time.
“He’s always on the ball,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated. “He’s will place himself in a the best position to win for us. Whatever it takes to help us to win, he’ll accomplish it. He’s unflinching and unstoppable. This is what you could see as you went down on the road.”
The Clippers did not capitalize on the two Milwaukee errors during the closing minutes. Kawhi Leonard was unable to score an 18-footer in final seconds while being protected by Wesley Matthews with help from Pat Connaughton.
“I’ve been doing this since my mom said to me that I was supposed to be the best player, when I was just 4 an old.” Matthews said. “That’s just who I am. There is nothing more than respect for these guys. I believe that these guys have the same respect towards me. The best method to show the respect they deserve is to try to stop them. The most effective way to earn my respect is to take me on.”
There were plenty of opportunities to pull back.
Paul George stole the ball from Jrue Holiday, and the Clippers called an timeout at 27.1 seconds remaining in a game that was a one-point affair However, Leonard missed a shot. Antetokounmpo received the rebound but then threw the ball into the air and gave Los Angeles possession with 15.1 seconds left.
The Clippers had to send it to Leonard who was unable to make a catch once more.
“We wanted to play it to Connaughton but they changed the game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue told the media. “They introduced Matthews into the game. He did an excellent job getting into Kawhi which made him feel uncomfortable, and forced him to step return a more so that he wouldn’t be able to go straight downhill.”
Norman Powell scored 26 points to lead the Clippers. Leonard scored 17 points eleven rebounds and five assists. He shot 7-of-25. Marcus Morris and George had 16 points each. Zubac scored 12 points as well as 13 rebound.
Khris Middleton scored 16 points, while Holiday added 12 points for the Bucks. Holiday was unable to make the first eight shots he attempted and didn’t score the first shot until the end of the third quarter.