By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks both completing a back-to-back, there was one clear winner in Fiserv Forum. Beyond leading their respective sides, Slovenian Luka Doncic and Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo also starred in a couple of viral moments on Saturday.
After scoring his first NBA career points, Adou Thiero wanted to keep the game ball, but was initially prevented from the game officials, until Giannis grabbed the ball and handed it to Doncic.
“I don’t know why they weren’t giving the ball. I just went, grabbed the ball and gave it to the team,” explained the Freak in a postgame media session, explaining how his brother Thanasis helped him understand the situation.
“At first, I didn’t realize it was all for me. I am very thankful to this team. I think that shows how connected we are and how much we want each to succeed as a team,” added 21-year-old Thiero, commenting on the confusion.
In 2023, Antetokounmpo was also involved in a similar game-ball incident, leading to a much more intense situation opposite the Indiana Pacers.
Meanwhile, earlier one-sided traffic in favor of the Lakers in Milwaukee got Doncic frustrated. He did not agree with a call leading his fellow European superstar to the free-throw line, and continued complaining until Giannis missed the first free throw and airballed the second. At this point, the Ljubljana native was yelling a known response in ‘ball don’t lie’.
Resuming action in the 2025-26 Regular Season, the Bucks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Rocket Arena on Monday, and the Lakers host the Utah Jazz in crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.