Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 126-113 win over Washington Wizards
Takeaways from Bucks’ 126-113 win over Washington Wizards – Coming to a head
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance may have been a short one, but it was surely eventual.
Returning to the starting lineup after missing Monday’s loss to the Raptors, Antetokounmpo’s outing got off to a choppy start as he frequently went to the free throw line and endured plenty of contact both on his way to and at the basket.
That eventually led to his early exit as midway through the second quarter, after jockeying for position down low with Wizards center Moritz Wagner, Antetokounmpo verbally confronted the German international before headbutting Wagner going into a stoppage of play. Upon review, Antetokounmpo was assessed a flagrant-2 foul and was ejected from the game.
The Bucks comfortably rode to victory without their MVP superstar and after the win, Antetokounmpo expressed his remorse on letting his anger get the best of him and explained that the build-up of fouls and contact he’s absorbed in the restart affected his actions.
I asked Giannis what it was that had him so frustrated with Wagner. He said: “I don’t think I was frustrated with Wagner. I think it was just the whole, like, buildup of dirty plays in my mind, you know, guys tripping me, guys falling in front of my feet, holding me, hitting me."
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) August 12, 2020
All in all, Antetokounmpo finished his 10-minute cameo with 12 points on three shots (8-for-10 from the free throw line), nine boards, three turnovers, an assist and a steal. And we shall await whatever further discipline he may receive from the league beyond just his ejection last night.