Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes Bucks’ all-time rebounding leader
Giannis Antetokounmpo hauled in 17 rebounds in win against Houston and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7,161) for the most in Bucks franchise history.
The Milwaukee Bucks put their four-game winning streak on the line Tuesday night vs. the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks (19-7) have also won 13 straight at home. The Spurs (4-21) are one of the worst teams in the NBA and have lost 19 of 20.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his 37th career triple-double by the end of the third quarter (13 rebounds, 11 points, 10 assists) as the Bucks led 107-85 after three. Damian Lillard scored 35 and hit 7 three-pointers.
Antetokounmpo had a near triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, six assists) in the first half and Lillard scored 24 points as the Bucks took a 72-59 lead on the Spurs at the break. Bobby Portis had 17 off the bench. Tre Jones and Zach Collins had 12 each for San Antonio.
Lillard scored 19 points and Bobby Portis added 12 off the bench as the Bucks took a 44-26 first quarter lead on the Spurs.
Damian Lillard scores 20,000 career points
With his third basket of the game – which was part of a 19-point first quarter – Damian Lillard became the 51st player in NBA history (and eighth active player) to reach the 20,000-point mark. Of the 43 retired players, 37 are in the Hall of Fame.
Lillard is one of a dozen of those 51 to have Milwaukee ties, either by playing at Marquette University (Dwyane Wade), playing for the city’s original NBA team (Bob Pettit) and being drafted by (Dirk Nowitzki) or playing for the Bucks.
On Dec. 13 Lillard became the No. 5 all-time three-point shooter in league history, passing Kyle Korver in made threes.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. Antetokounmpo is currently on his longest consecutive games played streak since the 2019-20 season having played 14 straight games. He is not on the injury report.
‘Enjoy the journey’: Giannis again talks philosophically after setting franchise rebounding record
Victor Wembanyama ruled out for Spurs
The Spurs ruled the No. 1 pick out on Monday evening with right ankle soreness. He played 31 minutes against New Orleans on Sunday, scoring 17 points, pulling down 13 rebounds and blocking four shots. It is the first game he will miss since Dec. 1 and just the second all season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo on Victor Wembanyama: ‘Sky’s the limit’
Antetokounmpo didn’t come into the NBA from Greece as the most celebrated international prospect in basketball history. He didn’t arrive measured at the 7-feet he is now. He didn’t begin his career in Milwaukee with heavy expectations.
But he must be considered as one of the greatest player development stories in league history after starting his career at 18 years old, 6 feet, 9 inches tall and (generously) listed at 210 pounds and turning into a two-time league MVP that is one of the most athletic, dominant big men the sport has ever seen.
Antetokounmpo is 12th all-time in triple-doubles and became the true archetype for what the “point forward” position could be. He is unstoppable in transition, can initiate offense yet also can work the midrange while bending rims at will.
It’s through this lens that many view the potential of Wembanyama, the 7-4 French teenager headlining the rebuilding Spurs. The 19-year-old is a more polished professional than Antetokounmpo was coming out of Europe, and he was immediately handed the keys to the franchise upon being drafted.
Everything the Spurs do is centered around his development.
And naturally, Antetokounmpo’s opinion on the phenom has been sought.
But the Bucks star has demurred, saying on a couple of occasions that he does not watch basketball – or highlights – so he’s not sure what Wembanyama does or can do in the NBA. But, even he couldn’t escape the hype because he’s heard his teammates talk about the Frenchman.
Earlier in the year, a French reporter relayed to Antetokounmpo that the Spurs coaches likened their development plan to Antetokounmpo’s, that they wanted Wembanyama to be “uncomfortable” by playing different positions, to figure out things on his own on the court.
“I feel like in my career just being able to play multiple positions helped me,” Antetokounmpo admitted. “Coming into the league, starting as a, what was I, a four-man? Second year I was more of a shooting guard. Third year I was a point guard. Then just keep going. I don’t know what I am today. I just try to be a basketball player and try fit in wherever I can. But for sure, being uncomfortable will definitely help him.”
Antetokounmpo then revealed he did see Wembanyama play in person in Lyon, France – in the 2021-22 French LNB Pro A league season when his younger brother, Kostas, was Wembanyama’s teammate with Asvel Villeurbanne.
“He has a lot of talent,” Antetokounmpo said of the Spurs rookie. “I saw that he had a lot of potential. He can play any spot he choose to play. He’s a basketball player. He’s a mismatch wherever you put him on the floor. For him, he’s just got to be disciplined, stay healthy and – the most important thing – keep on enjoying the game. The sky’s the limit for him. He can become whatever he wants to become in this league. He has a lot of talent.”
Bucks injury report
- Malik Beasley, probable (non-COVID illness)Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said Beasley was good to go after finishing his pregame routine.
- Jae Crowder, out (left adductor surgery)
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
- Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks schedule
After playing the Spurs, the Bucks host the Orlando Magic on Thursday to conclude their five-game homestand. They then head on the road for four games.