Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a scintillating 59-point performance, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling 127-120 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Antetokounmpo’s monster performance was the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season and the second-highest of his career, trailing only his 64-point outing against Indiana last year.
The Bucks’ star forward was sensational, hitting 21 of 34 field-goal attempts and sinking 16 of 17 free throws. In addition to his scoring barrage, Antetokounmpo also grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out seven assists, demonstrating his all-around dominance. Despite facing an 18-point deficit in the second half, Antetokounmpo’s Herculean effort powered Milwaukee to an impressive comeback.
Brook Lopez also contributed significantly for the Bucks, adding 29 points of his own, including key baskets down the stretch. However, it was Antetokounmpo who stole the show, carrying his team in a contest that saw plenty of drama. On the Pistons’ side, Cade Cunningham led the way with 35 points, while Malik Beasley put up 26 points against his former team, including an explosive 4-of-5 from 3-point range in the first half.
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Detroit had a chance to win the game in regulation. With the score tied at 111 and just one second left on the clock, Ron Holland II was fouled by Antetokounmpo while attempting a shot. However, Holland missed both free throws, sending the game into overtime. The missed free throws proved costly for the Pistons, who had already been without starters Jaden Ivey (toe injury) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (head injury), further complicating their efforts.
Milwaukee also faced some challenges, with several key players missing due to injury. Damian Lillard was sidelined due to concussion protocol, while Ryan Rollins (left shoulder instability) and Bobby Portis (right elbow contusion) were also unavailable. Despite the absences, Antetokounmpo’s brilliance, combined with Lopez’s scoring, ensured the Bucks walked away with the win.
In the first quarter, Antetokounmpo did everything for the Bucks, scoring all but two of the team’s 24 points. He hit 7 of 10 field-goal attempts and nailed all eight of his free throws, finishing with 22 points in the opening period alone. His red-hot start set the tone for the game, even though Milwaukee faced challenges as Detroit shot a blistering 61.5% from beyond the arc in the first half, led by Beasley’s scorching shooting from deep.
The key turning point in the game came late in the third quarter when Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart was ejected after a flagrant foul 2 for pulling Antetokounmpo’s jersey. The foul, assessed with 3:02 left in the period, gave Antetokounmpo two free throws, which he converted to help the Bucks maintain momentum. The ejection of Stewart, who had been a physical presence for the Pistons, seemed to signal the turning point as the Bucks started to take control of the game.
The Bucks continued to dominate Detroit in recent years, improving their record to 22-1 against the Pistons since the 2018-19 season, including a 10-game win streak in the series. Milwaukee’s win streak against Detroit was never in serious jeopardy, but the Pistons made it a hard-fought game, particularly behind their shooting from distance.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will head to Toronto on Friday night for a matchup with the Raptors. Meanwhile, the Bucks will travel to Charlotte on Saturday to face the Hornets, with their eyes firmly set on building on this dramatic win. While Milwaukee remains a formidable team, the impressive scoring display from Antetokounmpo only serves as another reminder of his status as one of the league’s most dominant forces.
