Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been suspended for the Bucks’ last-seeded game after the Wizards outscored Moe Wagner on Tuesday, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo was judged to be a charged foul with 8:50 to go in the quarter, but continued to confront Wagner and head runner during the dead ball situation.
Ashley Landis / Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
The 2019 NBA MVP, which was named one of three finalists for the MVP Award in 2020 on Saturday, received a blatant two as a result of the headbutt and was subsequently postponed.
He had scored 12 points and struck out nine rebounds prior to the draft.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said afterward that tension had built up every game between the teams.
“This is nothing new,” Budenholzer said. “Giannis has been dealing with this for a long time. He’s the MVP. He’s normally phenomenal and today was a slip-up. In one way or another, it could be one of the best things that happened today as a learning moment. We will all remember that we need to keep cool – players and coaches. ”
Milwaukee went on to win with Washington-1-1-1 despite their four other starters for the entire game. With the no. 1 seed seeded in the Eastern Conference, it is possible that Budenholzer intended to rest Antetokounmpo for the regular season finale, however.
The Bucks play the Grizzlies in their final seeding game on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 4 pm ET.
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