Giannis Antetokounmpo not only scored the winning field goal in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 122-121 home win against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, but he also did an unselfish gesture to his teammate, Ryan Rollins, after the game.
After contributing 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 11-for-18 shooting for the Milwaukee Bucks, which broke a tie with Oscar Robertson for the most games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in NBA history, Antetokounmpo gave the game ball to Rollins, who reached 1,000 career points and converted a career-high six three-pointers.
“He’s incredible,” Antetokounmpo said of Rollins via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Coach Doc gave me the ball, but I thought it would be a nice gesture for Ryan to keep the ball. I had the opportunity to keep my jersey also. It means a lot to him, 1,000 points. Played really well … made tough shots, got to the paint, put a lot of pressure on the rim, and made the right plays defensively. Was active.”
“As a leader, I think when guys are locked in and do the right thing and play hard every single day and are always available for the team, you just got to reward them as much as you can,” he continued.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Giannis Antetokounmpo overrules Doc Rivers on game-winning play vs. Charlotte Hornets
The Milwaukee Bucks took the lead against the Charlotte Hornets after Giannis Antetokounmpo flushed the alley-oop pass from Kevin Porter Jr. during a dribble hand-off. In the ensuing possession, Brandon Miller drove to the basket for the win, but missed the layup over the outstretched arms of Bobby Portis Jr.
“I just read the play,” Antetokounmpo explained. “I think they were switching 1 through 5 the whole game, and we’ve been in the situation before, I think a month-and-a-half ago when I was at the elbow in an iso for the game against Miles Bridges.”
“I know Scoot loves to go left. That’s what I told him before the play, I said, ‘Hey, you can just go down and come right back and get the ball. And just throw it to the rim, I will be wide open. He just did what I told him, and I was wide open,” he ended.
