Antetokounmpo scores 54 as Bucks dispatch Clippers

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 54 points — 20 in the fourth quarter, and 19 rebounds, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 21-point deficit and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 106-105 on Thursday night.

Comeback complete. pic.twitter.com/ChrCsFfQr0

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 3, 2023

Antetokounmpo, who now has reached the half-century mark in six career regular-season games, joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in Bucks history to have at least three 50-point games in a season.

“It’s a great compliment to be up there with Kareem,” Antetokounmpo said. “Man, I never thought I was going to score 50 in the NBA when I got drafted. It’s an insane, crazy journey.”

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Antetokounmpo celebrated his most famous 50-point performance by ordering 50 chicken nuggets at a Chick-fil-A drive-through the next day.

“Tomorrow I think I’m going to go to Culver’s,” he said. “I’ll go get 50 cheeseburgers and try to eat as many as I can. The rest, I’ll have my son eat them or I give them to my dog.”

The Greek star has scored at least 50 points in three of his last 11 games. He had a career-high 55 on Jan. 3 in a 123-113 victory over Washington and scored 50 in only 30 minutes Sunday in a 135-110 triumph over New Orleans.

Kawhi Leonard finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists for the Clippers in the losing effort.

Clippers visit the New York Knicks while the Bucks host Miami Heat on Saturday night.