Giannis Antetokounmpo gently throws the ball off the backboard to HIMSELF with just one second left to seal his fourth triple-double of the season – as Bucks star admits he ‘stole one’… but will it count?
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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbed his fourth triple-double of the season by missing a rebound, seemingly on purpose.
In the dying seconds of a 117-111 rout of the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, Antetokounmpo grabbed a rebound after a shot from Washington forward Corey Kispert.
As the clock continued to tick down, Giannis dribbled up the court toward the Wizards basket, slowing to a walk and stopping underneath it.
With less than two seconds remaining, Antetokounmpo looked up at the basket, bounced the ball off the bottom of the backboard and caught it as time expired.
Officials in the arena credited ‘The Greek Freak’ with the rebound, bringing his total to ten and completing his triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists and ten rebounds.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo grabbed an intentional rebound Sunday
That rebound was enough for Giannis to record his fourth triple-double of the season
Alongside 23 points and 13 assists, Antetokounmpo might have that last board taken back
After the game, Antetokounmpo said he intended to score but admitted that he used a little cunning to get what he needed.
‘I was thinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in those situations it’s best to kind of keep the ball,’ Antetokounmpo said. ‘But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one.’
While Antetokounmpo may have ended the night recording a triple-double, it’s possible the NBA may rule it invalid by him missing on purpose.
The league has precedent for it. In 2003, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Davis was a rebound away from a triple-double in a game at home against the Utah Jazz.
He intentionally shot the ball off his own basket to get the board. However, the arena’s official scorer didn’t credit the attempt and the league clarified it wouldn’t count.
Just a year later, Atlanta Hawks guard Bob Sura intentionally missed a layup to get one final rebound in his attempt to log three straight triple-doubles.
At the time, he was credited with the rebound, however, the league said he wouldn’t be credited with the board the following day.
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