Giannis Antetokounmpo let his emotions get the best of him on Tuesday as his Milwaukee Bucks took the Washington Wizards. In an exciting second quarter in which he was buried several times, Giannis finally lost his temper after a call. The Bucks called time-out, but Antetokounmpo delivered in his frustration a headbutt to Wizards big man Moe Wagner. He was called for a flagrant-2 offense and suspended.
After the game, Antetokounmpo was embarrassed by his actions when speaking to the media.
“Terrible action,” Antetokounmpo said. “If I could go back and turn back time and go back to that play, I would not do it. But at the end of the day, we’re all human, we all make mistakes. I think I’m doing a great job. all year, in my career, of keeping and focusing on the game, but like I said, we are human, we make mistakes.But at the end of the day, learn from it, keep playing basketball and keep moving forward. “
Regarding why he reacted this way, the reigning MVP said he reacted to what he felt was a build up of emotion throughout the course of the game. While Wagner was shocked by Antetokounmpo’s frustration, he was not necessarily angry with him.
“I do not think I was frustrated with Wagner,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think it was just the whole thing, like building up dirty plays in my mind. Men tripping me, boys falling at my feet, holding me, hitting me. It was not just – I do not have anything against Wagner, it was not just him. “
The release was the third of Antetokounmpo’s career in the regular season and fourth overall. Based on historical precedent, Antetokounmpo will likely sign a one-game suspension for this headbutt. Hasheem Thabeet (2013) and Kevin Garnett (2015) both faced off against opposing players and were arrested for their team’s next match. Milwaukee’s next game comes against Memphis as the Grizzlies desperately try to fight their way into the play-off tournament for the final playoff spot of the Western Conference.
Milwaukee has had nothing to play for long since securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, so losing Antetokounmpo for a game would have no bearing on their playoff future. But the Bucks are struggling to get into rhythm in Orlando because of a combination of residual and coronavirus-induced deficiencies. They will have a relatively easy first-round series against the Magic in which they will hopefully be able to gain the momentum they have lost, but after finishing they will have to win three very difficult series against other competitors.
Now Antetokounmpo loses, at least, the rest of this game as a tune-up. He will not be able to play again until the post day. The Grizzlies did not exactly need this win, but getting him those minutes on the court would have been valuable. Now? They are that much closer to entering the playoffs with unnecessary rest.
