Giannis Antetokounmpo turned the Bucks’ 142-133 road win over the Pacers largely into a one-man dunk show on his way to a amazing night of 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Despite the offensive eruption, Antetokounmpo said he is trying to focus on staying fresh for a playoff run.
“I just feel so much adrenaline, and I’ve got to let it out,” Antetokounmpo told reporters about his array of dunks. “(But) I’m trying to save as much energy as I can.”
The Bucks (45-25) sit in third place in the East with two games left. This will mark the first time in three seasons they didn’t win the conference. But this time, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks also appear to be more postseason-ready than the previous two years.
“He was trying to make a statement,” Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday said of Antetokounmpo. “I love the energy.”
More from Milwaukee
- Antetokoumpo took 16 of his 18 shots inside the paint, where he scored 26 of his points. Brook Lopez was also effective inside, taking 12 of 15 total shots near the rim. Lopez finished with 21 points. “They’ve both been getting there more,” coach Mike Budenholzer said.
- Milwaukee can still get the No. 2 seed, but would most likely need to win each of the final two games. A key matchup with the Heat looms Saturday at home. Milwaukee owns the tiebreaker with the Nets, currently the second seed.
- The Bucks visit the Bulls to close the season Sunday — and a victory would give the Bucks a clean sweep of the rest of the Central Division.
