Giannis Antetokounmpo etched his name in Milwaukee Bucks history by shattering the franchise record with an incredible 64-point performance, leading the Bucks to a commanding 140-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Antetokounmpo’s remarkable feat surpassed Michael Redd’s previous record of 57 points set in 2006 during a matchup against the Utah Jazz. This record-breaking performance came in a redemption game after a 113-111 loss to the Jazz. The Greek Freak’s previous career high was 55 points, achieved in a January 2023 win against Washington, and he had scored 54 points against the Pacers on November 9.
In a display of unparalleled skill, Antetokounmpo went 20 of 28 from the field, sank 24 of 32 free throws, and secured 14 rebounds. The night wasn’t without its intensity, as a collision with Aaron Nesmith resulted in a brief heated exchange involving multiple players. Nesmith was penalized with a flagrant-1, while technical fouls were assessed to both Nesmith and the Bucks’ Bobby Portis.
Contributing to the Bucks’ victory, Damian Lillard added 21 points to the scoreboard. Notably, Lillard’s second 3-pointer in the third quarter marked his 2,451st career three-pointer, surpassing Kyle Korver for fifth place in NBA history.
Despite the Pacers having previously defeated the Bucks 128-119 in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner’s 22 points each couldn’t withstand the onslaught led by Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ victory showcased an outstanding performance and further solidified Giannis’s place in the annals of the franchise’s history.